Apparatuses and methods for inline collection of a fluid specimen

ABSTRACT

A collection fitting, system, and method for sampling fluid from a tissue site is described. The collection fitting includes a housing having a central passage, a first union, and a second union. The first union and the second union are in fluid communication with the central passage. The collection fitting also includes a plunger disposed in the housing and movable between a sampling position and a bypass position. The plunger includes a bypass passage configured to fluidly couple the first union and the second union through the central passage in the bypass position. The collection fitting also includes a cap having a boss configured to be inserted into the central passage. The boss includes a first inlet and a second inlet and inserts into the central passage to move the plunger. The first and second inlet fluidly couple the first union and the second union in the sampling position.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims the benefit, under 35 USC § 119(e), of thefiling of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/882,409,entitled “APPARATUSES & METHODS FOR INLINE COLLECTION OF A FLUIDSPECIMEN,” filed Sep. 25, 2013, which is incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The apparatuses and methods described herein relate generally to tissuetreatment systems. More particularly, but without limitation, theapparatuses and methods relate to inline collection of a fluid specimenwhile providing reduced-pressure therapy.

BACKGROUND

Clinical studies and practice have shown that reducing pressure inproximity to a tissue site can augment and accelerate growth of newtissue at the tissue site. The applications of this phenomenon arenumerous, but it has proven particularly advantageous for treatingwounds. Regardless of the etiology of a wound, whether trauma, surgery,or another cause, proper care of the wound is important to the outcome.Treatment of wounds with reduced pressure may be commonly referred to as“negative-pressure therapy,” but is also known by other names, including“negative-pressure wound therapy,” “reduced-pressure wound therapy,”“vacuum therapy,” and “vacuum-assisted closure,” for example.Negative-pressure therapy may provide a number of benefits, includingmigration of epithelial and subcutaneous tissues, improved blood flow,and micro-deformation of tissue at a wound site. Together, thesebenefits can increase development of granulation tissue and reducehealing times.

While the clinical benefits of reduced-pressure therapy are widelyknown, the cost and complexity of reduced-pressure therapy can be alimiting factor in its application, and the development and operation ofreduced-pressure therapy systems, components, and processes continues topresent significant challenges to manufacturers, healthcare providers,and patients.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In an example embodiment, a collection fitting for sampling fluid from atissue site is described. The collection fitting may include a housinghaving a central passage, a first union, and a second union. The firstunion and the second union may be in fluid communication with thecentral passage. The collection fitting may also include a plungerdisposed in the housing and movable between a sampling position and abypass position. The plunger may include a bypass passage configured tofluidly couple the first union and the second union through the centralpassage in the bypass position. The collection fitting may also includea cap having a boss configured to be inserted into the central passage.The boss may include a first inlet and a second inlet. The boss may beconfigured to be inserted into the central passage and move the plunger.The first and second inlet may be configured to fluidly couple the firstunion and the second union in the sampling position.

In another example embodiment, a collection fitting for sampling fluidfrom a tissue site is described. The collection fitting includes ahousing having a central passage, a first union configured to be fluidlycoupled to a reduced-pressure source, and a second union configured tobe fluidly coupled to a tissue site. The first union and the secondunion are in fluid communication with the central passage. Thecollection fitting also includes a plunger disposed in the housing andhaving a bypass passage. The bypass passage is configured to fluidlycouple the first union and the second union through the central passagein a bypass position. The collection fitting further includes a caphaving a boss configured to be inserted into the central passage. Theboss includes a first inlet and a second inlet. The boss is configuredto be inserted into the central passage and move the plunger within thehousing. The first and second inlets being configured to fluidly couplethe first union and the second union in a sampling position.

In still another embodiment, a system for sampling fluid from a tissuesite is described. The system may include a housing having a centralpassage, a first union, and a second union. The first union and thesecond union may be in fluid communication with the central passage. Thesystem may also include a plunger disposed in the housing and having abypass passage. The bypass passage may be configured to fluidly couplethe first union and the second union through the central passage in abypass position. The system may also include a cap having a bossconfigured to be inserted into the central passage. The boss may includea first inlet and a second inlet. The boss may be configured to beinserted into the central passage and move the plunger within thehousing. The first and second inlets may be configured to fluidly couplethe first union and the second union in a sampling position. The systemmay also include a first tube coupled to the first union and a secondtube coupled to the second union. The system may further include aspecimen container configured to be coupled to the cap. The first inletand the second inlet may be in fluid communication through the specimencontainer.

In yet another example embodiment, a method for sampling fluid from atissue site is described. A collection fitting may be provided andfluidly coupled between a reduced-pressure source and a tissue site. Aspecimen container may be coupled to the collection fitting proximate toa plunger of the collection fitting. The plunger may be moved to fluidlycouple the tissue site and the reduced-pressure source through thespecimen container.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments describedherein will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detaileddescription that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example embodiment of areduced-pressure therapy system that can sample fluid in accordance withthis specification;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating additional details of anexample embodiment of a collection fitting that may be associated withsome embodiments of the reduced-pressure therapy system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded partial view illustrating additional details ofthe collection fitting of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a retainer plate of the collection fitting ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of an access plate of the collection fitting ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the access plate of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the access plate of FIG. 5A takenalong line 5C-5C;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the access plate of the collection fitting ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a specimencontainer that may be used with a collection fitting such as thecollection fitting of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of another example embodiment of acollection fitting that may be associated with some embodiments of thereduced-pressure therapy system of FIG. 1 according to thisspecification;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the collection fittingof FIG. 8A having another example of a union that may be associated withsome embodiments;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the collection fitting of FIG. 8Acoupled to one or more components of a reduced-pressure therapy system;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the collection fittingof FIG. 8A having another example embodiment of a valve;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example embodiment of acollection fitting having a tee-fitting that may be associated with someembodiments of the reduced-pressure therapy system of FIG. 1 accordingto this specification;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of another teefitting that may be used in place of the tee-fitting of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a samplingvalve that may be used with a collection fitting such as the tee fittingof FIG. 10;

FIG. 12B is an end view of the illustrative sampling valve of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are perspective views of an example embodiment of anactuator that may be used with the illustrative sampling valve of FIG.12A;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator of FIG. 13 engagedwith the sampling valve of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another exampleembodiment of a sampling valve that may be used with the tee fitting ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is an exploded cross-sectional view of another exampleembodiment of a collection fitting that may be associated with someembodiments of the reduced-pressure therapy system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view of the assembled collection fittingof FIG. 17 in a bypass position;

FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of the assembled collection fittingof FIG. 17 in a sampling position;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a specimen container that may beused with a collection fitting such as the illustrative collectionfitting of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22 are cross-sectional views illustrating theuse of the illustrative collection fitting of FIG. 17 with theillustrative specimen container of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is an exploded cross-sectional view of another exampleembodiment of a collection fitting that may be associated with someembodiments of the reduced-pressure therapy system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a chassis thatmay be associated with some embodiments of the collection fitting ofFIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the chassis of FIG. 24 taken alongline 25-25 of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26A is a top view of an example embodiment of a bypass switch thatmay be used with some embodiments of the collection fitting of FIG. 23;

FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional view of the bypass switch of FIG. 26Ataken along line 26A-26A of FIG. 26A;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a disc cupthat may be used with some embodiments of the collection fitting of FIG.23;

FIG. 28A is a side view of the disc cup of FIG. 27;

FIG. 28B is a top view of the disc cup of FIG. 27;

FIG. 28C is a cross-sectional view of the disc cup of FIG. 27 takenalong line 28C-28C of FIG. 28B;

FIG. 29A is an exploded cross-sectional view of an example embodiment ofa specimen container that may be used with a collection fitting such asthe collection fitting of FIG. 23;

FIG. 29B is a top view of an example embodiment of a dust cap that maybe used with a specimen container such as the specimen container of FIG.29A;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative collection fittingof FIG. 23 assembled with the specimen container of FIG. 29A and thedust cap of FIG. 29B;

FIG. 31 is an exploded cross-sectional view of another exampleembodiment of a collection fitting and specimen container that may beassociated with some embodiments of the reduced-pressure therapy systemof FIG. 1 in accordance with this specification; and

FIG. 32A and FIG. 32B are cross-sectional views illustrating the use ofthe illustrative collection fitting and specimen container of FIG. 31.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

New and useful systems and methods for sampling fluid in areduced-pressure therapy environment are set forth in the appendedclaims. Objectives, advantages, and a preferred mode of making and usingthe systems and methods may be understood best by reference to thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. The description provides information that enables a personskilled in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter, but mayomit certain details already well-known in the art. Moreover,descriptions of various alternatives using terms such as “or” do notnecessarily require mutual exclusivity unless clearly required by thecontext. The claimed subject matter may also encompass alternativeembodiments not specifically described in detail. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, to be taken as illustrative and not limiting.

The example embodiments may also be described herein with reference tospatial relationships between various elements or to the spatialorientation of various elements depicted in the attached drawings. Ingeneral, such relationships or orientation assume a frame of referenceconsistent with or relative to a patient in a position to receivetreatment. However, as should be recognized by those skilled in the art,this frame of reference is merely a descriptive expedient rather than astrict prescription.

FIG. 1 is a simplified functional block diagram of an example embodimentof a reduced-pressure therapy system 100 that can sample fluid inaccordance with this specification. As shown in some embodiments, thereduced-pressure therapy system 100 may include a dressing 102 fluidlycoupled to a reduced-pressure source 104. An inline sampling apparatus,such as a collection fitting 106, may also be fluidly coupled to thedressing 102 and the reduced-pressure source 104. The dressing 102generally includes a drape, such as a drape 108, and a tissue interface,such as a manifold 110. The reduced-pressure therapy system 100 may alsoinclude a fluid container, such as a storage container 112, coupled tothe dressing 102 and the reduced-pressure source 104. The collectionfitting 106 may include a sampling valve 107 fluidly coupled to thecollection fitting 106 and a specimen container, such as a specimencontainer 109 adapted to be fluidly coupled to the sampling valve 107.

In general, components of the reduced-pressure therapy system 100 may becoupled directly or indirectly. For example, the reduced-pressure source104 may be directly coupled to the collection fitting 106 and indirectlycoupled to the dressing 102 through the collection fitting 106.Components may be fluidly coupled to each other to provide a path fortransferring fluids (i.e., liquid and/or gas) between the components. Insome embodiments, components may be fluidly coupled with a tube, forexample. A “tube,” as used herein, broadly refers to a tube, pipe, hose,conduit, or other structure with one or more lumina adapted to conveyfluids between two ends. Typically, a tube is an elongated, cylindricalstructure with some flexibility, but the geometry and rigidity may vary.In some embodiments, components may additionally or alternatively becoupled by virtue of physical proximity, being integral to a singlestructure, or being formed from the same piece of material. Coupling mayalso include mechanical, thermal, electrical, or chemical union (such asa chemical bond) in some contexts.

In operation, a tissue interface, such as the manifold 110, may beplaced within, over, on, against, or otherwise adjacent to a tissuesite. For example, the manifold 110 may be placed against a tissue site,and the drape 108 may be placed over the manifold 110 and sealed totissue proximate to the tissue site. Tissue proximate to a tissue siteis often undamaged epidermis peripheral to the tissue site. Thus, thedressing 102 can provide a sealed therapeutic environment proximate to atissue site, substantially isolated from the external environment, andthe reduced-pressure source 104 can reduce the pressure in the sealedtherapeutic environment. Reduced pressure applied uniformly through thetissue interface in the sealed therapeutic environment can inducemacrostrain and microstrain in a tissue site, as well as remove exudatesand other fluids from a tissue site, which can be collected in thestorage container 112 and disposed of properly.

Exudates may refer to fluid that filters from the circulatory systeminto lesions or areas of inflammation. Exudates may include water anddissolved solutes. Dissolved solutes may include blood, plasma proteins,white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. In some embodiments,exudates may include serum, fibrin, and white blood cells. In otherembodiments, exudates may include pus having a thin protein-rich fluidand dead leukocytes.

The fluid mechanics of using a reduced-pressure source to reducepressure in another component or location, such as within a sealedtherapeutic environment, can be mathematically complex. However, thebasic principles of fluid mechanics applicable to reduced-pressuretherapy are generally well-known to those skilled in the art, and theprocess of reducing pressure may be described illustratively herein as“delivering,” “distributing,” or “generating” reduced pressure, forexample.

In general, exudates and other fluids flow toward lower pressure along afluid path. Thus, in the context of reduced-pressure therapy, the term“downstream” typically implies something in a fluid path relativelycloser to a reduced-pressure source, and conversely, the term “upstream”implies something relatively further away from a reduced-pressuresource. Similarly, it may be convenient to describe certain features interms of fluid “inlet” or “outlet” in such a frame of reference. Thisorientation is generally presumed for purposes of describing variousfeatures and components of reduced-pressure therapy systems herein.However, the fluid path may also be reversed in some applications (suchas by substituting a positive-pressure source for a reduced-pressuresource) and this descriptive convention should not be construed as alimiting convention.

The term “tissue site” in this context broadly refers to a wound ordefect located on or within tissue, including but not limited to, bonetissue, adipose tissue, muscle tissue, neural tissue, dermal tissue,vascular tissue, connective tissue, cartilage, tendons, or ligaments. Awound may include chronic, acute, traumatic, subacute, and dehiscedwounds, partial-thickness burns, ulcers (such as diabetic, pressure, orvenous insufficiency ulcers), flaps, and grafts, for example. The term“tissue site” may also refer to areas of any tissue that are notnecessarily wounded or defective, but are instead areas in which it maybe desirable to add or promote the growth of additional tissue. Forexample, reduced pressure may be used in certain tissue areas to growadditional tissue that may be harvested and transplanted to anothertissue location.

“Reduced pressure” generally refers to a pressure less than a localambient pressure, such as the ambient pressure in a local environmentexternal to a sealed therapeutic environment provided by the dressing102. In many cases, the local ambient pressure may also be theatmospheric pressure at which a patient is located. Alternatively, thepressure may be less than a hydrostatic pressure associated with tissueat the tissue site. Unless otherwise indicated, values of pressurestated herein are gauge pressures. Similarly, references to increases inreduced pressure typically refer to a decrease in absolute pressure,while decreases in reduced pressure typically refer to an increase inabsolute pressure.

A reduced-pressure source, such as the reduced-pressure source 104, maybe a reservoir of air at a reduced pressure, or may be a manual orelectrically-powered device that can reduce the pressure in a sealedvolume, such as a vacuum pump, a suction pump, a wall suction portavailable at many healthcare facilities, or a micro-pump, for example.The reduced-pressure source may be housed within or used in conjunctionwith other components, such as sensors, processing units, alarmindicators, memory, databases, software, display devices, or userinterfaces that further facilitate reduced-pressure therapy. While theamount and nature of reduced pressure applied to a tissue site may varyaccording to therapeutic requirements, the pressure typically rangesbetween −5 mm Hg (−667 Pa) and −500 mm Hg (−66.7 kPa). Commontherapeutic ranges are between −75 mm Hg (−9.9 kPa) and −300 mm Hg(−39.9 kPa).

A tissue interface, such as the manifold 110, can be generally adaptedto contact a tissue site. A tissue interface may be partially or fullyin contact with a tissue site. If a tissue site is a wound, for example,a tissue interface may partially or completely fill the wound, or may beplaced over the wound. A tissue interface may take many forms, and mayhave many sizes, shapes, or thicknesses depending on a variety offactors, such as the type of treatment being implemented or the natureand size of a tissue site. For example, the size and shape of a tissueinterface may be adapted to the contours of deep and irregular shapedtissue sites.

Generally, a manifold, such as the manifold 110, for example, is asubstance or structure adapted to distribute or remove fluids from atissue site. A manifold may include flow channels or pathways thatdistribute fluids provided to and removed from a tissue site around themanifold. In one illustrative embodiment, the flow channels or pathwaysmay be interconnected to improve distribution of fluids provided to orremoved from a tissue site. For example, open-cell foam, porous tissuecollections, and other porous material such as gauze or felted matgenerally include structural elements arranged to form flow channels.Liquids, gels, and other foams may also include or be cured to includeflow channels.

In one illustrative embodiment, the manifold 110 may be a porous foampad having interconnected cells adapted to distribute reduced pressureacross a tissue site. The foam may be either hydrophobic or hydrophilic.In one non-limiting example, the manifold 110 can be an open-cell,reticulated polyurethane foam, such as GranuFoam® dressing availablefrom Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of San Antonio, Tex.

In an example in which the manifold 110 may be made from a hydrophilicmaterial, the manifold 110 may also wick fluid away from a tissue site,while continuing to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site. Thewicking properties of the manifold 110 may draw fluid away from a tissuesite by capillary flow or other wicking mechanisms. An example of ahydrophilic foam is a polyvinyl alcohol, open-cell foam such as V.A.C.WhiteFoam® dressing available from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. of SanAntonio, Tex. Other hydrophilic foams may include those made frompolyether. Other foams that may exhibit hydrophilic characteristicsinclude hydrophobic foams that have been treated or coated to providehydrophilicity.

A tissue interface may further promote granulation at a tissue site ifpressure within the sealed therapeutic environment is reduced. Forexample, any or all of the surfaces of the manifold 110 may have anuneven, coarse, or jagged profile that can induce microstrains andstresses at a tissue site if reduced pressure is applied through themanifold 110.

In one embodiment, a tissue interface may be constructed frombioresorbable materials. Suitable bioresorbable materials may include,without limitation, a polymeric blend of polylactic acid (PLA) andpolyglycolic acid (PGA). The polymeric blend may also include, withoutlimitation, polycarbonates, polyfumarates, and capralactones. The tissueinterface may further serve as a scaffold for new cell-growth, or ascaffold material may be used in conjunction with a tissue interface topromote cell-growth. A scaffold is generally a biodegradable orbiocompatible substance or structure used to enhance or promote thegrowth of cells or formation of tissue, such as a three-dimensionalporous structure that provides a template for cell growth. Illustrativeexamples of scaffold materials include calcium phosphate, collagen,PLA/PGA, coral hydroxy apatites, carbonates, or processed allograftmaterials.

The drape 108 is an example of a sealing member. A sealing member may beconstructed from a material that can provide a fluid seal between twocomponents or two environments, such as between a therapeuticenvironment and a local external environment. A sealing member may be,for example, an impermeable or semi-permeable, elastomeric film that canprovide a seal adequate to maintain a reduced pressure at a tissue sitefor a given reduced-pressure source. For semi-permeable materials, thepermeability generally should be low enough that a desired reducedpressure may be maintained. An attachment device may be used to attach asealing member to an attachment surface, such as undamaged epidermis, agasket, or another sealing member. An attachment device may take manyforms. For example, an attachment device may be a medically-acceptable,pressure-sensitive adhesive that extends about a periphery, a portion,or an entire sealing member. Other example embodiments of an attachmentdevice may include a double-sided tape, paste, hydrocolloid, hydrogel,silicone gel, organogel, or an acrylic adhesive.

A “container,” such as the storage container 112 or the specimencontainer 109 in FIG. 1, broadly includes a canister, pouch, bottle,vial, or other fluid collection apparatus. The storage container 112 forexample, can be used to manage exudates and other fluids withdrawn froma tissue site. In some embodiments, the storage container 112 mayinclude substances to manage fluid in the storage container 112, such asisolyzers or absorbents, for example. In many environments, a rigidcontainer may be preferred or required for collecting, storing, anddisposing of fluids. In other environments, fluids may be properlydisposed of without rigid container storage, and a re-usable containercould reduce waste and costs associated with reduced-pressure therapy.In some embodiments, the specimen container 109 may be similar to thestorage container 112. Generally, the specimen container 109 may receiveand store a sample of fluids from the tissue site for testing orexperimentation. Generally, the specimen container 109 may be free offluid management substances, such as isolyzers or absorbents, forexample. In some embodiments, the specimen container 109 may be smallerthan the storage container 112 and be adapted to receive smaller amountsof fluid.

The reduced-pressure therapy system 100 may be used to treat tissuesites that are in various stages of healing, and exudate from a tissuesite can be a useful diagnostic aid. Thus, it may be useful to collectexudate from a tissue site during the application of reduced-pressuretherapy. For example, a sample of exudate from a tissue site may betested to determine if bacteria is growing at the tissue site, the typeof bacteria growing at the tissue site, and the amount of bacteriagrowing at the tissue site. In another example, exudate from a tissuesite may be tested to determine if the tissue site is becoming necroticor otherwise failing to respond in a desired manner.

Currently, exudate may be collected from a tissue site in a limitednumber of ways. For example, fluids may be sampled directly from atissue site by stopping reduced-pressure therapy, removing the dressingfrom the tissue site, and attempting to retrieve a sample directly fromthe tissue site. This collection procedure may be unsuitable orundesirable for several reasons. For example, the process requires thatreduced-pressure therapy must be stopped for an extended period of timewhile fluid is collected from the tissue site. Extended periods withoutreduced-pressure therapy may be detrimental to the healing of the tissuesite and increase the total time required to heal. The process alsorisks contamination of the tissue site as the dressing must be removedfrom the tissue site, exposing the tissue site to the ambientenvironment. The process may also cause pain to the patient. Forexample, the adhesives of the dressing may cause pain to the patient ifthe dressing is removed. Sampling of the fluids from the tissue site byremoving the dressing may also bring the tissue site into contact withinstruments that may aggravate the damaged tissue.

Another way to obtain a sample of exudate from a tissue site is to takea sample from a container downstream from a dressing, such as from thestorage container 112. To obtain a sample of fluids from a containerdownstream from a dressing, such as the storage container 112, thereduced-pressure therapy is typically stopped so that the container maybe uncoupled from the reduced-pressure therapy system. A sample of thefluids from the tissue site can then be taken from the container fortesting. The container may then be recoupled to the reduced-pressuretherapy system, and reduced-pressure therapy restarted. Much likesampling fluids directly from the tissue site, obtaining fluids from thetissue site using a container such as the storage container 112 maycause the tissue site to do without reduced-pressure therapy for anextended time and increase the total healing time required.

A container such as the storage container 112 may also include anabsorbent, isolyzer, or other substance configured to reduce themoisture content of the fluids from the tissue site that are collectedin the container. The moisture-reducing substances may decrease thevolume of the fluids in the container by decreasing the moisture contentof the fluids in the container. The moisture-reducing substances maycontaminate the fluids from the tissue site that are collected in thecontainer. If the fluids from the tissue site in the storage container112 become contaminated by the moisture-reducing substances, subsequenttesting of the fluids sampled from the container may provide resultshaving significant errors. The errors may make the testing processunreliable and hinder an accurate diagnosis.

The storage container 112 may also be used to collect fluids from thetissue site for an extended period of time, which can present anotherproblem to testing fluids from the storage container 112. For example,the storage container 112 may collect fluids from the tissue site forseveral hours or several days depending on the amount of fluid beingreceived from the tissue site. A sample taken from the storage container112 after the storage container 112 has been used to collect fluids fromthe tissue site for a long duration may not represent the currentcondition of the tissue site. Again, obtaining a sample from the storagecontainer 112 may introduce significant errors into any test resultsfrom the sample. The errors may make the testing process unreliable andhinder a proper diagnosis.

As disclosed herein, the reduced-pressure therapy system 100 canovercome these shortcomings and others by providing a collectionfitting, such as the collection fitting 106, that enables collection ofexudate specimens from a tissue site without interruptingreduced-pressure therapy. The collection fitting 106 may be used tosample exudate from the tissue site that is uncontaminated by otherenvironments. The collection fitting 106 may also be used to sampleexudate from a tissue site at a discrete moment in time. In anillustrative embodiment, the collection fitting 106 may include astopcock or petcock fluidly coupled inline between the dressing 102 andthe storage container 112. In some embodiments, the collection fitting106 may have three couplings, such as three unions that allow quick andconvenient disconnection to other components. For example, thecollection fitting 106 may include a first union configured to permitfluid coupling with a dressing, a second union that may permit fluidcoupling with the storage container 112, and a third union, which mayalso be referred to as a container union, having a valve, such as thesampling valve 107. Fluid communication may occur through the collectionfitting 106 between the storage container 112 and the dressing 102. Thesampling valve 107 may remain closed during normal operation of thereduced-pressure therapy system 100.

If an exudate specimen is desired, the specimen container 109 may becoupled to the third union, and the sampling valve 107 may be opened sothat fluid communication may occur through the third union. While thespecimen container 109 is coupled to the third union and the samplingvalve 107 is opened, reduced-pressure therapy may continue. Thecollection fitting 106 preferably provides at least one fluid pathbetween the dressing 102 and the storage container 112 in both the openand closed position. In some embodiments, the fluid path between thereduced-pressure source 104 and the dressing 102 may pass through thespecimen container 109 if the sampling valve 107 is open. As fluids fromthe tissue site are collected, the fluids may flow through thecollection fitting 106 and the specimen container 109 coupled to thecollection fitting 106, depositing an exudate specimen in the specimencontainer 109. If a desired amount of exudate has been collected in thespecimen container 109, the sampling valve 107 may be closed, and thespecimen container 109 can be uncoupled from the third union. Theexudate specimen collected in the specimen container 109 may then betested using suitable diagnostic procedures.

Connector

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collection fitting 206 that may beused with a reduced-pressure therapy system, such as thereduced-pressure therapy system 100 of FIG. 1, for example. Thecollection fitting 206 may be an illustrative embodiment of thecollection fitting 106 in FIG. 1. The collection fitting 206 may includea tube 208 and a connector 214. The collection fitting 206 may furtherinclude a first union 236 and a second union 238.

The connector 214 may include a retainer plate, such as a first plate216, and an access plate, such as a second plate 218. In someembodiments, the first plate 216 and the second plate 218 may berectangular plates and may be coextensive, having substantiallyequivalent exterior dimensions. In other embodiments, the first plate216 and the second plate 218 may not be coextensive. The second plate218 may also include one or more bores 220 that may extend through thesecond plate 218. In some embodiments, a container union 222 may bedisposed in the second plate 218. In some embodiments, the containerunion 222 may be disposed in a center of the second plate 218. As shownin FIG. 2, the first plate 216 and the second plate 218 may be placedadjacent to each other to enclose a portion of the tube 208.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the collection fitting 206 illustratingadditional details that may be associated with some embodiments. Thetube 208 may be a multi-lumen conduit having a central lumen, such as alumen 210, for example, and one or more peripheral lumens, such aslumens 212, for example. The lumen 210 may extend from the first end ofthe tube 208 to the second end of the tube 208. In some embodiments, thelumen 210 may be disposed proximate to a center of the tube 208. In someembodiments, the lumen 210 may be coaxial with an axis 209 of the tube208. In other embodiments, the lumen 210 may be offset from the axis 209of the tube 208. In some embodiments, the lumen 210 may provide a fluidpath for reduced pressure between the dressing and the fluid collectionapparatus.

The lumens 212 may also extend from the first end of the tube 208 to thesecond end of the tube 208. In some embodiments, the lumens 212 may becircumferentially spaced around the axis 209 of the tube 208. In otherembodiments, the lumens 212 may not be circumferentially spaced aroundthe axis 209 of the tube 208. For example, the lumens 212 may bedisposed in one portion of the tube 208. Although four lumens 212 areshown in FIG. 3, other embodiments of the tube 208 may have more orfewer lumens 212. In some embodiments, each lumen 212 may have a majordimension, such as a diameter, less than a major dimension of the lumen210.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first union 236 may be coupled to a first end ofthe tube 208, and the second union 238 may be coupled to a second end ofthe tube 208 opposite the first end. In some embodiments, both thesecond union 238 and the first union 236 may be multi-lumen connectors.In these embodiments, the second union 238 and the first union 236 mayinclude one or more lumens configured to be coupled to the lumen 210 andthe lumens 212 to provide an independent path of fluid communication forthe lumen 210 and the lumens 212 through the second union 238 and thefirst union 236. In some embodiments, the second union 238 and the firstunion 236 may provide separate paths of fluid communication for eachlumen 212. The second union 238 and the first union 236 may beconfigured to be coupled to a additional unions, respectively, toprovide a fluid coupling to another device, such as a tube, areduced-pressure source, a container, or a dressing, for example. Insome embodiments, the first union 236 and the second union 238 may bemale unions configured to be inserted into a female union. In someembodiments, the first union 236 and the second union 238 may be femaleunions configured to receive a male union. In other embodiments, thefirst union 236 and the second union 238 may be either a male union or afemale union and configured to receive either a female union or a maleunion, respectively.

As shown in some embodiments of FIG. 3, the collection fitting 206 isdisassembled so that a portion of the tube 208 enclosed by the connector214 may be viewed. The tube 208 may include an opening 234 that mayextend through a wall of the tube 208. In some embodiments, the opening234 extends from an exterior of the tube 208 through the wall of thetube 208 and into the lumen 210. In some embodiments, the opening 234may be fluidly isolated from the lumens 212. The opening 234 may beformed by cutting a slit into the tube 208. In other embodiments, thetube 208 may be manufactured to include the opening 234. The opening 234may provide a fluid path into the lumen 210 through the wall of the tube208.

The first plate 216 may include a channel 226 configured to received aportion of a tube, such as the tube 208. In some embodiments, forexample, the channel 226 may have a semicircular profile and may extenda length of the first plate 216. In other embodiments, the channel 226may have other profiles, such as square, or triangular, for example, toengage tubing of compatible geometry. As shown in some embodiments ofFIG. 3, the channel 226 may be disposed along a major or minor axis ofthe first plate 216. A dimension, such as a diameter, for example, ofthe channel 226 may be substantially equal to an outer dimension of thetube 208 so that at least a portion of the tube 208 may be disposed inthe channel 226.

The first plate 216 may also include one or more rods 224. The rods 224may be cylindrical members projecting from an upper surface of the firstplate 216 proximate to the channel 226. In other embodiments, the rodsare not cylindrical. In other embodiments, the rods 224 may bedistributed in other locations of the first plate 216. The rods 224 mayhave a height substantially equal to a width of the second plate 218. Insome embodiments, the rods 224 may be distributed around a peripheraledge of the first plate 216, such as at each corner of the first plate216.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the first plate 216 illustrating additionaldetails that may be associated with some embodiments of the collectionfitting 206. In some embodiments, the first plate 216 includes four rods224 and one rod 224 is positioned in each corner of the first plate 216.The rods 224 may be disposed on other locations of the first plate 216on a surface having the channel 226. In other embodiments, the firstplate 216 may have more or fewer rods 224.

FIG. 5A is a bottom view illustrating additional details of the secondplate 218. The second plate 218 may include the bores 220. The bores 220may extend through the second plate 218 and may be dimensioned for aninterference fit with the rods 224. In some embodiments, the secondplate 218 includes four bores 220, each bore 220 positioned in arespective corner of the second plate 218. In other embodiments, theremay be more or fewer bores 220. In other embodiments, the bores 220 maybe disposed in other locations of the second plate 218. In someembodiments, the bores 220 may be located on the second plate 218 sothat the bores 220 are substantially aligned with the rods 224 of thefirst plate 216 if the second plate 218 and the first plate 216 areengaged, as shown in FIG. 2.

The second plate 218 may also include a channel 228. The channel 228 maybe similar to the channel 226 of the first plate 216. The channel 228may extend from a first end to a second end of the second plate 218, andthe channel 228 may be disposed along a major or minor axis of thesecond plate 218. In some embodiments, the channel 226 and the channel228 may be positioned in the first plate 216 and the second plate 218,respectively, so that the channel 226 and the channel 228 may besubstantially aligned. In some embodiments, the channel 226 and thechannel 228 may be aligned so as to be coextensive. The channel 228 mayhave a semicircular profile having a diameter substantially equal to adiameter of the tube 208. In some embodiments, at least a portion of thetube 208 may be disposed within the channel 228. The channel 228 mayalso include recesses 230 formed in sidewalls of the channel 228. Therecesses 230 may extend into the second plate 218 from a bottom surfaceof the second plate 218. The recesses 230 may be sized to accommodateportions of the wall of the tube 208 adjacent to the opening 234.

FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the second plate 218illustrating additional details that may be associated with someembodiments; and FIG. 5C is a sectional view of the second plate 218illustrating additional details that may be associated with someembodiments. The container union 222 may be disposed proximate to acenter of the second plate 218 and extend through the second plate 218into the channel 228. In some embodiments, the container union 222includes a cylindrical boss 232. The cylindrical boss 232 is centrallydisposed in the channel 228 adjacent to the recesses 230. In otherembodiments, the container union 222 may be disposed in other portionsof the channel 228. The cylindrical boss 232 may extend away from thechannel 228, and in some embodiments, the cylindrical boss 232 may havea length extending into the channel 228 greater than a thickness of thewall of the tube 208. The cylindrical boss 232 may also include apassage 233 extending through the cylindrical boss 232 and providing afluid path through the cylindrical boss 232 from the container union 222to the channel 228.

FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating additional details of the second plate218. The container union 222 may be a union configured to receive amating union. In some embodiments, the container union 222 may be afemale union configured to receive a male union, allowing a male unionto be coupled to the container union 222. In other embodiments, thecontainer union 222 may be a male union, allowing a female union to becoupled to the container union 222. An O-ring 240 may be disposed in thecontainer union 222. The O-ring 240 may be a sealing member configuredto seal a mating union to the container union 222.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating additional details of aspecimen container, such as a specimen container 250, that may be usedwith a fitting, such as the collection fitting 206. The specimencontainer 250 may be an illustrative embodiment of the specimencontainer 109. The specimen container 250 may be a tubular containerhaving an open end and a closed end, and may be configured to receiveand store a specimen or other fluid. In some embodiments, the specimencontainer 250 may include a top, such as a union 252 coupled to the openend of the specimen container 250. The union 252 may be configured to becoupled to the container union 222 and fluidly sealed to the O-ring 240.The union 252 may be male or female, depending on the gender of thecontainer union 222. In some embodiments, the specimen container 250 maybe graduated to determine a volume of fluid in the specimen container250.

The collection fitting 206 may be assembled in the following manner. Thetube 208 may be cut through the wall of the tube 208 to create theopening 234. Opposing sides of the opening 234 may be pulled apart sothat the cylindrical boss 232 of the container union 222 may be insertedinto the opening 234. The tube 208 may be positioned in the channel 228so that the opening 234 is adjacent to the cylindrical boss 232 of thecontainer union 222, and the cylindrical boss 232 may be inserted intothe opening 234. The recesses 230 may accommodate portions of the tube208 that have been separated to form the opening 234. The rods 224 maybe inserted into the bores 220, positioning the tube 208 into thechannel 226 of the first plate 216. The first plate 216 and the secondplate 218 may be pressed together so that the opening 234 is completelyenclosed by the connector 214. Adhesive may be applied to the bores 220to couple the rods 224 of the first plate 216 to the bores 220 of thesecond plate 218, thereby securing the second plate 218 to the firstplate 216 and enclosing the tube 208. In some embodiments, an adhesivemay be applied to the first plate 216 adjacent to the channel 226 and tothe second plate 218 adjacent to the channel 228. The adhesive may helpto secure the second plate 218 to the first plate 216 while alsoproviding a fluid seal between the second plate 218 and the first plate216. In other embodiments, the rods 224 may be coupled to the bores 220with an interference fit or with fasteners, for example. In still otherembodiments, the rods 224 of the first plate 216 may be replaced withbores, and the second plate 218 and the first plate 216 may be securedwith fasteners, for example.

In some embodiments, the collection fitting 206 may be assembled at alocation where reduced-pressure therapy may be provided. For Example,the tube 208 may be fluidly coupled between a dressing and areduced-pressure source. The connector 214 can be assembled around thetube 208, and a specimen can be collected from the tube 208 by couplinga specimen container, such as the specimen container 250, to thecollection fitting 206. Thus, specimen collection may be provided wherea reduced-pressure therapy system was not initially provided with asampling location. In some embodiments, the collection fitting 206 maybe assembled at a separate manufacturing location. For example, the tube208 may be a section of tubing, the connector 214 may be assembledaround the tube 208. The second union 238 and the first union 236 canjoin the section of tubing to other sections of tubing that are coupledbetween a dressing and a fluid collection apparatus. Thus, a treatmentsystem may be provided that includes sampling from the initiation oftreatment.

In operation, the collection fitting 206 may be fluidly coupled inlinebetween a dressing and a reduced-pressure source or container, forexample between the dressing 102 and the storage container 112 ofFIG. 1. The fluid coupling of the collection fitting 206 inline betweenthe dressing and the container allows fluid to flow from the dressingthrough the collection fitting 206 and into the container.

The union 252 of the specimen container 250 may be inserted into andcoupled to the container union 222. The O-ring 240 may sealingly engagethe union 252 to seal the container union 222 to the specimen container250 and fluidly couple the specimen container 250 to the lumen 210through the passage 233 of the container union 222. The reduced-pressuresource may be operated to provide reduced pressure to the dressingthrough the lumen 210 of the tube 208. The fluid path may pass at leastpartially into the specimen container 250 through the container union222. As fluids, including liquids from the tissue site, are drawn fromthe dressing through the lumen 210, the fluids may also be drawn intothe specimen container 250. If a desired amount of fluid is in thespecimen container 250, the reduced-pressure source may be paused, thespecimen container 250 removed and replaced with another specimencontainer 250, and the reduced-pressure source may be resumed tocontinue reduced-pressure therapy.

In some embodiments, a valve may be coupled to the container union 222.The valve may be operated to selectively permit fluid communicationthrough the container union 222. Consequently, the valve may permit thespecimen container 250 to be coupled to and uncoupled from thecollection fitting 206 without ceasing provision of reduced-pressuretherapy.

Tee-Fitting

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating additionaldetails that may be associated with an example embodiment of acollection fitting 306 that may be used with a reduced-pressure therapysystem, for example, the reduced-pressure therapy system 100. Thecollection fitting 306 may include a three-way fitting, such as atee-fitting 308, a first union 320, a second union 314, and a containerunion 326. The tee-fitting 308 may include at least three arms: a firstarm 305, a second arm 307, and a third arm 309. The first arm 305 andthe second arm 307 may be coaxial about an axis 303 of the tee-fitting308 and opposite one another. In other embodiments, the first arm 305and the second arm 307 are not coaxial. The third arm 309 may beperpendicular to the first arm 305 and the second arm 307. In someembodiments, the third arm 309 may be disposed between the first arm 305and the second arm 307. In other embodiments, the first arm 305, thesecond arm 307, and the third arm 309 may be equidistantly spaced fromeach other. In these embodiments, no arm is coaxial with another and noarm may be perpendicular to another.

The tee-fitting 308 may include a plurality of lumens. For example, insome embodiments, the tee-fitting 308 may include a secondary lumen,such as a lumen 310, a first primary lumen, such as a lumen 312, and asecond primary lumen, such as a lumen 313. In some embodiments, thelumen 310 may extend through the tee-fitting 308 from the first arm 305to the second arm 307. The lumen 312 may extend through the tee-fitting308 from the second arm 307 to the third arm 309, and the lumen 313 mayextend through the tee-fitting 308 from the first arm 305 to the thirdarm 309.

The first union 320 may be coupled to the second arm 307 of thetee-fitting 308 as shown in some embodiments of FIG. 8A. The first union320 may include a secondary lumen, for example, a lumen 322, and acentral lumen, for example, a lumen 324. The first union 320 may becoupled to the second arm 307 of the tee-fitting 308, so that the lumen322 is fluidly coupled to the lumen 310 and the lumen 324 of the firstunion 320 is fluidly coupled to the lumen 312. The first union 320 maybe inserted into a union of opposite gender to secure the tee-fitting308 to a tube, or another device.

The second union 314 may be coupled to the first arm 305 of thetee-fitting 308 as shown in some embodiments of FIG. 8A. The secondunion 314 may include a secondary lumen, for example, a lumen 316, and aprimary lumen, for example, a lumen 318. The second union 314 may coupleto the first arm 305 of the tee-fitting 308, so that the lumen 316 isfluidly coupled to the lumen 310 and the lumen 318 is fluidly coupled tothe lumen 313. The second union 314 may be configured to receive a unionof opposite gender to couple the second union 314 to an additionalconduit or to another device.

The container union 326 may be coupled to the third arm 309 of thetee-fitting 308. The container union 326 may include a lumen 328 and alumen 330. The container union 326 may be coupled to the third arm 309of the tee-fitting 308 so that the lumen 328 may be fluidly coupled tothe lumen 313, and the lumen 330 may be fluidly coupled to the lumen312. The lumen 328 and the lumen 330 may be separated by a wall 329extending a length of the container union 326. The lumen 328 may besized to accommodate a flow rate that is substantially equivalent to aflow rate through the lumen 313. Similarly, the lumen 330 may be sizedto accommodate a flow rate that is substantially equivalent to a flowrate through the lumen 312. The container union 326 may be inserted intoa union of opposite gender to fluidly couple the third arm 309 of thetee-fitting 308 to a tube or another device.

The collection fitting 306 may also include a valve, such as a valve332. The valve 332 may include a passage 334 and a wall 336. The passage334 may be sized to accommodate a flow rate that is substantiallyequivalent to a flow rate through the lumen 328 and the lumen 330. Thevalve 332 may have a first end configured to be coupled to the containerunion 326. The wall 336 may be disposed within the passage 334 proximateto a second end of the valve 332. In some embodiments, the wall 336 maybisect the passage 334 into two semicircular halves proximate to thesecond end of the valve 332. The wall 336 may have a length such that,if the valve 332 is coupled to the container union 326, an end of thewall 336 may contact the wall 329.

A flap 338 may be disposed in the passage 334 proximate to the secondend. The flap 338 may have a dimension, for example a diameter or width,substantially equal to a portion of the bisected passage 334. In someembodiments, the flap 338 may have a semicircular shape. The flap 338may block fluid flow through at least half of the passage 334 if in aclosed position, as shown in some embodiments of FIG. 8A. The flap 338may be hinged so that the flap 338 may pivot between the closed positionand an open position that allows fluid flow through a portion of thepassage 334. In some embodiments, the flap 338 may be hinged proximateto an outer wall of the valve 332 so that a first end of the flap 338,may pivot toward the outer wall of the valve 332. In some embodiments, avertex of the flap 338 may be coupled to a biasing mechanism, forexample, a spring 342. In some embodiments, the spring 342 may becoupled to the outer wall of the valve 332 and be positioned so that thespring 342 is in a relaxed state if the flap 338 is in the closedposition. In other embodiments, the flap 338 may be coupled to thespring 342 so that the spring 342 resists opening of the flap 338.

Similarly, a flap 340 may be disposed in the passage 334 adjacent to theflap 338. The flap 340 may have a dimension, for example a diameter,substantially equal to a portion of the bisected passage 334. In someembodiments, the flap 340 may have a semicircular shape and blockpassage through at least half of the passage 334 if in a closed positionof FIG. 8A. In some embodiments, the flap 340 and the flap 338 may eachblock a respective half of the passage 334 in the closed position ofFIG. 8A. The flap 340 may be hinged so that the flap 340 may pivotbetween the closed position blocking fluid flow through a portion of thepassage 334 and an open position that allows fluid flow through aportion of the passage 334. In some embodiments, the flap 340 may behinged proximate to an outer wall of the valve 332 so that a first endof the flap 340 may pivot toward the outer wall of the valve 332. Insome embodiments, a vertex of the flap 340 may be coupled to a biasingmechanism, for example, a spring 344. In some embodiments, the spring344 may be coupled to the outer wall of the valve 332 and be positionedso that the spring 344 is in a relaxed state if the flap 340 is in theclosed position. In some embodiments, the flap 340 may be coupled to thespring 344 so that the spring 344 resists opening of the flap 340.

In some embodiments, the collection fitting 306 may also include anactuator, such as an actuator 346, for example. In some embodiments, theactuator 346 may be configured as a lid or cap for a container, such asa specimen container 352. The actuator 346 may have a first end 347having a first dimension, such as a diameter, for example, and a secondend 349 having a second dimension, such as a diameter, for example. Insome embodiments, the second dimension is greater than the firstdimension. In other embodiments, the first dimension and the seconddimension may be substantially equal. The actuator 346 may also be asubstantially tubular body. The actuator 346 may include a first rod 348and a second rod 350. The first rod 348 may be positioned on an innerdiameter of the first end 347 of the actuator 346 and may extend awayfrom the actuator 346 so that the first rod 348 protrudes from theactuator 346. Similarly, the second rod 350 may also be positioned onthe inner diameter of the first end 347 of the actuator 346. The secondrod 350 may also extend away from the actuator 346 so that the secondrod 350 protrudes from the first end 347 of the actuator 346. In someembodiments, the first rod 348 and the second rod 350 may be oppositeone another on the first end 347 of the actuator 346. In otherembodiments, the first rod 348 and the second rod 350 may not beopposite one another.

The first end 347 of the actuator 346 may have an outer diametersubstantially equivalent to an outer diameter of the valve 332. An innerdiameter of the first end 347 of the actuator 346 may be dimensioned sothat an interior of the first end 347 of the actuator 346 may becoextensive with the passage 334. In some embodiments, the first rod 348and the second rod 350 may be positioned so that they are substantiallyaligned with the spring 342 and the spring 344 of the valve 332 if thefirst end 347 of the actuator 346 is proximate to the valve 332.

The specimen container 352 may be a tubular body having a closed end andan open end. In some embodiments, the specimen container 352 may betranslucent. In some embodiments, the specimen container 352 may beopaque. In some embodiments, the specimen container 352 may be graduatedso that a volume of fluid in the specimen container 352 may be measured.The second end 349 of the actuator 346 may have an inner diameter thatmay be coextensive with the open end of the specimen container 352. Insome embodiments, the inner diameter of the actuator 346 may be threadedto receive a threaded open end of the specimen container 352.

FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the actuator 346 illustrating anotherembodiment that may be used with some embodiments of the collectionfitting 306. In some embodiments, the actuator 346 may include a maleunion, similar to the container union 326, proximate to the rod 348 andthe rod 350. In these embodiments, the rod 348 and the rod 350 may bedisposed on an end of the male union so that the male union may beinserted into a respective female union. In these embodiments, the rod348 and the rod 350 may be coupled to an end of the male union, ratherthan on an inner diameter of the first end 347 of the actuator 346.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view of the collection fitting 306 illustratingadditional details that may be associated with some embodiments. In someembodiments, the collection fitting 306 may be fluidly coupled inlinebetween a dressing and a container or reduced-pressure source. Forexample, the first union 320 may be fluidly coupled through a union 360to a tube 362 and then to a container, such as the storage container112, for example, which may be fluidly coupled to a reduced-pressuresource, for example, the reduced-pressure source 104. Similarly, thesecond union 314 may be fluidly coupled through a union 364 to a tube366 and then to a dressing, for example, the dressing 102. The tube 362and the tube 366 may be multi-lumen conduits having a primary lumen 368and one or more secondary lumens 370. In some embodiments, the firstunion 320 and the second union 314 may fluidly couple the secondarylumens 370 of the tube 362 and the tube 366 to the lumen 310. The firstunion 320 may also fluidly couple the primary lumen 368 of the tube 362to the lumen 312, and the second union 314 may fluidly couple theprimary lumen 368 of the tube 366 to the lumen 313.

The valve 332 may be coupled to the container union 326 so that thepassage 334 of the valve 332 is fluidly coupled to both the lumen 328and the lumen 330. Coupling the valve 332 to the container union 326places the passage 334 in fluid communication with the lumen 312 and thelumen 313 of the third arm 309.

The actuator 346 may be coupled to the specimen container 352 andbrought proximate to the valve 332. The first end 347 of the actuator346 may be adjacent to the valve 332 so that the first rod 348 and thesecond rod 350 may insert into the passage 334. If the first rod 348 anda second rod 350 insert into the passage 334, the first rod 348 and thesecond rod 350 may move the flap 338 and the flap 340, respectively,upwards into the passage 334. In some embodiments, the upward movementmay pivot the flap 338 and the flap 340 to the open position, permittingfluid flow through the valve 332 and the actuator 346 into the specimencontainer 352.

In some embodiments, a reduced-pressure source may be fluidly coupled tothe lumen 312, and a dressing may be fluidly coupled to the lumen 313through the secondary lumens 370 of the tube 362 and the tube 366,respectively. Reduced pressure may flow through the primary lumen 368 ofthe tube 362, the lumen 312, the lumen 330 of the container union 326,the passage 334 of the valve 332, and into the specimen container 352.Reduced pressure may flow to the tissue site from the specimen container352, through the passage 334 of the valve 332, the lumen 328 of thecontainer union, the lumen 313, and the primary lumen 368 of the tube366 to provide reduced-pressure therapy to the tissue site through thecollection fitting 306.

The flow of reduced pressure through the collection fitting 306 may drawfluids, including liquids from the tissue site, into and through thespecimen container 352. Liquids from the tissue site may collect in thespecimen container 352. If a desired amount of liquids from the tissuesite has been collected in the specimen container 352, the actuator 346and the specimen container 352 may be uncoupled from the valve 332. Inresponse, the rod 348 and the rod 350 may be removed from the passage334. The spring 342 and the spring 344 may push the flap 338 and theflap 340 to the closed position as shown in some embodiments of FIG. 8A,preventing further fluid communication through the valve 332.

In some embodiments, a fluidly coupled reduced-pressure source may becapable of determining a pressure at a tissue site. For example, areduced-pressure source may be able to determine whether a pressureapplied at a tissue site is about a desired pressure forreduced-pressure therapy. In these embodiments, the lumen 310 may befluidly coupled to a reduced-pressure source through the secondary lumen370 of the tube 362 and further fluidly coupled to a dressing throughthe secondary lumen 370 of the tube 366. In some embodiments, the lumen310 may act as a sensing lumen that communicates a pressure at a tissuesite to a reduced-pressure source. The lumen 310 may be an independentpath of fluid communication so that the lumen 310 may be unaffected bysampling with the specimen container 352.

FIG. 9B is a sectional view of a portion of the collection fitting 306illustrating additional details that may be associated with someembodiments. For example, the wall 336 may have a length such that theend of the wall 336 may not contact the wall 329. As shown in FIG. 9,there may be a gap between the wall 336 and the wall 329. In theseembodiments, fluid communication may occur between the lumen 328 and thelumen 330 through the gap if the actuator 346 is not engaged with thevalve 332. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9A, there may be nogap, and no fluid communication may occur between the lumen 328 and thelumen 330 if the actuator 346 is not engaged with the valve 332.

In some embodiments, the valve 332 may be coupled to the container union222 of the connector 214 described above with respect to FIG. 2 throughFIG. 7. In those embodiments, the specimen container 250 may have theactuator 346 coupled to the open end of the specimen container 250. Thevalve 332 and the actuator 346 may operate to selectively permit fluidcommunication through the container union 222.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating additional details of acollection fitting 406 that may be used with a reduced-pressure therapysystem, for example, the reduced-pressure therapy system 100. Thecollection fitting 406 may include a tee-fitting 408, a first union 414,and a second union 420. The tee-fitting 408 may have a first arm 422, asecond arm 424, and a third arm 426. The first arm 422 and the secondarm 424 may be coaxial about an axis 409 and opposite one another. Thethird arm 426 may have an axis 411 that may be perpendicular to the axis409 of the first arm 422 and the second arm 424. In other embodiments,the axis 411 of the third arm 426 may be at a non-perpendicular angle tothe axis 409 of the first arm 422 and the second arm 424. In someembodiments, the first arm 422, the second arm 424, and the third arm426 may be equidistantly separated from each other so that no arm isperpendicular or coaxial with any other arm. In some embodiments, thethird arm 426 may be disposed proximate to a center of the tee-fitting408. In other embodiments, the third arm 426 may be disposed in otherlocations of the tee-fitting 408.

The tee-fitting 408 may also have a plurality of lumens. In someembodiments, the tee-fitting 408 may include one or more peripherallumens, for example, a lumen 410. The lumen 410 may be a fluid path thatextends from the first arm 422 to the second arm 424 of the tee-fitting408. In some embodiments, the lumen 410 may be separated from the axis409. The lumen 410 may have an outer boundary having a radius extendinga first distance from the axis 409. The lumen 410 may have an innerboundary having a radius extending a second distance from the axis 409.In some embodiments, the first distance may be greater than the seconddistance. The lumen 410 may have an arcuate length that is a portion ofa circumference of the tee-fitting 408 about the axis 409. In someembodiments, the lumen 410 extends through the tee-fitting 408 from thefirst arm 422 to the second arm 424 and does not pass through the thirdarm 426.

The tee-fitting 408 may also include a first primary lumen, for example,a lumen 412 and a second primary lumen, for example, a lumen 413. Thelumen 412 extends through the tee-fitting 408 from the second arm 424 tothe third arm 426. In some embodiments, the lumen 412 may be disposedproximate to a center of the second arm 424 and may have a circularcross-section. In some embodiments, the portion of the lumen 412 in thesecond arm 424 may be coaxial with the axis 409. The portion of thelumen 412 in the third arm 426 may be disposed proximate to a center ofthe third arm 426 and may have a circular cross-section. In someembodiments, the lumen 412 may have a portion that is coaxial with theaxis 411 of the third arm 426. The lumen 412 may include an elbow 427proximate to the union of the third arm 426 and the second arm 424. Insome embodiments, the elbow 427 may have a radius of curvature causingthe lumen 412 to turn about 90°.

The lumen 413 may extend through the tee-fitting 408 from the first arm422 to the third arm 426. The lumen 413 may be coaxial with the axis 409and have a circular cross-section. The lumen 413 may be coaxial with theaxis 411 and may have a non-circular cross-section proximate to an endof the third arm 426. In some embodiments, the lumen 413 may beseparated from the lumen 412 in the third arm 426. For example, thelumen 413 may have an outer boundary having a radius extending from theaxis 411 of the third arm 426 a first distance. The lumen 413 may havean inner boundary having a radius extending from the axis 411 of thethird arm 426 a second distance. In some embodiments, the first distancemay be greater than the second distance. The lumen 413 may have anarcuate length that is a portion of a circumference of the third arm426. The lumen 413 may have an elbow 429 that transitions the lumen 413from a circular to a non-circular cross-section proximate to the unionof the first arm 422 and the third arm 426. In some embodiments, theelbow 429 may have a radius of curvature of about 90°. The lumen 412 andthe lumen 413 may be adjacent to one another in the third arm 426 sothat the inner boundary of the lumen 413 may partially circumscribe thelumen 412.

The first union 414 may be coupled to the first arm 422, and the secondunion 420 may be coupled to the second arm 424. Both the first union 414and the second union 420 may include lumens configured to fluidly couplewith the respective lumens of the tee-fitting 408. The second union 420may be coupled with another union to fluidly couple the collectionfitting 406 to a reduced-pressure source, a dressing, or other device.Similarly, the first union 414 may be coupled with another union tofluidly couple the collection fitting 406 with a dressing, areduced-pressure source, or other device.

In some embodiments, a valve 407 may be coupled to the third arm 426. Insome embodiments, the valve 407 may be a valve assembly coupled to thethird arm 426 and be operable to selectively permit fluid communicationthrough the third arm 426. In some embodiments, the valve 407 may befluidly coupled to a specimen container, such as a vial, a graduatedcylinder, or a bottle, for example. In these embodiments, the valve 407may selectively permit fluid communication into and through the specimencontainer. In some embodiments, the valve 407 may be similar to andoperate in a manner similar to the valve 332.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating additional details of anothertee-fitting 508 that may be used with a collection fitting, such as thecollection fitting 306 or the collection fitting 406, for example. Insome embodiments, the tee-fitting 508 may be a generallytriangular-shaped body. The tee-fitting 508 may include a first arm 522,a second arm 524, and a third arm 526. The first arm 522 and the secondarm 524 may be coaxial about an axis 509 and opposite one another. Thefirst arm 522, the second arm 524, and the third arm 526 may all havegenerally circular cross-sections proximate to ends of each respectivearm. The third arm 526 may be a cylindrical body having an axis 511 thatis perpendicular to the axis 509 of the first arm 522 and the second arm524. In other embodiments, the third arm 526 may be at anon-perpendicular angle to the axis 509. In some embodiments, the thirdarm 526 may be disposed proximate to a center of the tee-fitting 508. Inother embodiments, the third arm 526 may be disposed in other locationsof the tee-fitting 508. In some embodiments, the tee-fitting 508 mayhave a triangular shape. The first arm 522, the second arm 524, and thethird arm 526 may be positioned on a respective vertex of thetriangularly-shaped tee-fitting 508. The tee-fitting 508 may have apartially cylindrical outer surface extending between the first arm 522and the second arm 524. The tee-fitting 508 may have exterior surfacesextending between the first arm 522 and the third arm 526 that may forman angle 507 to the axis 509. In some embodiments, the angle 507 may beabout 30 degrees. Similarly, the tee-fitting 508 may have exteriorsurfaces extending between the second arm 524 and the third arm 526 thatmay form an angle 505 to the axis 509. In some embodiments, the anglemay be about 30 degrees.

The tee-fitting 508 may also have a plurality of lumens. In someembodiments, the tee-fitting 508 may include one or more peripherallumens, for example, a lumen 510. The lumen 510 may be a fluid path thatextends through the tee-fitting 508 from the first arm 522 to the secondarm 524 of the tee-fitting 508. In some embodiments, the lumen 510 maybe separated from the axis 509. The lumen 510 may have an outer boundaryhaving a first radius from the axis 509. The lumen 510 may have an innerboundary having a second radius from the axis 509. In some embodiments,the first radius may be greater than the second radius. The lumen 510may have an arcuate length that is a portion of a circumference of thetee-fitting 508 adjacent to the ends of the first arm 522 and the secondarm 524.

The tee-fitting 508 may also include a first primary lumen, for example,a lumen 512 and a second primary lumen, for example, a lumen 513. Thelumen 512 may extend through the tee-fitting 508 from the second arm 524to the third arm 526. In some embodiments, the lumen 512 maybe bedisposed proximate to a center of the second arm 524 and may have acircular cross-section. The lumen 512 may also have a semicircularcross-section proximate to the third arm 526. The lumen 512 may have ashape that transitions the lumen 512 from the circular cross-sectionproximate to an end of the second arm 524 to the semicircularcross-section proximate to an end of the third arm 526. In someembodiments, the lumen 512 forms an angle with the axis 509 between thesecond arm 524 and the third arm 526. In some embodiments, the angle maybe about 30° to the axis 509. The portion of lumen 512 in the third arm526 may be perpendicular to the axis 509.

The lumen 513 may extend through the tee-fitting 508 from the first arm522 to the third arm 526. In some embodiments, the lumen 513 may bedisposed proximate to a center of the first arm 522 and may have acircular cross-section. The lumen 513 may also have a semicircularcross-section proximate to an end of the third arm 526. The lumen 513may have a shape that transitions the lumen 513 from the circularcross-section proximate to an end of the first arm 522 to thesemicircular cross-section proximate to an end of the third arm 526. Insome embodiments, the lumen 513 forms an angle with the axis 509 betweenfirst arm 522 and the third arm 526. In some embodiments, the angle maybe about 30° to the axis 509. The portion of lumen 513 in the third arm526 may be perpendicular to the axis 509.

The tee-fitting 508 may be coupled to tubes, conduits, or other deviceswith unions, for example, the second union 420 and the first union 414of FIG. 10. In this manner, the tee-fitting 508 may be fluidly coupledinline between a dressing and a container or a reduced-pressure source.In addition, the tee-fitting 508 may have a valve coupled to the thirdarm, such as the valve 407 of FIG. 10, for example.

In some embodiments, a fluidly coupled reduced-pressure source may becapable of determining a pressure at the tissue site. For example, thereduced-pressure source may be able to determine whether a pressureapplied at the tissue site is about the desired reduced pressure forreduced-pressure therapy. In these embodiments, the lumen 410 of thecollection fitting 406 and the lumen 510 of the collection fitting 506may be fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure source and furtherfluidly coupled to the dressing through the second union 420 and thefirst union 414. In some embodiments, the lumen 410 and the lumen 510may be a sensing lumen that communicates the pressure at the tissue siteto the reduced-pressure source so that the reduced-pressure source maydetermine whether additional reduced pressure should be supplied. Thelumen 410 and the lumen 510 may be independent paths of fluidcommunication so that the lumen 410 and the lumen 510 may be unaffectedby sampling with a specimen container.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a valve 600 having internal componentsshown in hidden lines that may be used with the container union 222 ofthe connector 214 of FIG. 2, the third arm 309 of the tee-fitting 308 ofFIG. 8A, the third arm 426 of the tee-fitting 408 of FIG. 10, or thethird arm 526 of the tee-fitting 508 of FIG. 11. The valve 407 of FIG.10 may be similar to and operate as described below with respect to thevalve 600 of FIG. 12A. The valve 600 includes a valve housing 602, avalve spring 608, and a ball 610. The valve housing 602 may be a tubularmember having a first end 604 and a second end 606. The first end 604may include a connector. A retainer ring 612 may be coupled to an innersurface of the valve housing 602. The retainer ring 612 may be separateda distance from the first end 604. The retainer ring 612 may have aninner diameter less than a diameter of the ball 610. In someembodiments, the valve housing 602 may have rails 609 formed on theinner diameter surface of the valve housing 602. The rails 609 may beparallel to an axis of the valve housing 602 and extend from theretainer ring 612 to the second end 606 of the valve housing 602. Therails 609 extend radially into the valve housing 602 from the innerdiameter of the valve housing 602. The rails 609 may form passages 611between adjacent rails 609.

The ball 610 may be a spherical body having a diameter that is less thana distance between radial ends of opposing rails 609. For example, insome embodiments, the ball 610 may have a diameter such that an outersurface of the ball 610 may contact opposing rails 609 and move freelyrelative to the rails 609. The ball 610 may be disposed inside of thevalve housing 602 and may be configured to move axially along the lengthof the valve housing 602 between the retainer ring 612 and the secondend 606.

The valve spring 608 may be a biasing member disposed between the ball610 and the second end 606. The valve spring 608 may bias the ball 610against the retainer ring 612 so that the ball 610 may sealingly engagethe retainer ring 612. In some embodiments, the retainer ring 612 mayhave a sealing member positioned on a surface opposite the first end604.

FIG. 12B is an end view illustrating additional details of the valve600. The second end 606 may include a spring plate 614 coupled to thevalve housing 602 proximate to the second end 606. The spring plate 614may be an annular body having peripheral portions coupled to the innerdiameter surface of the valve housing 602 and the rails 609. In someembodiments, the spring plate 614 forms an end of the passages 611 ofFIG. 12A. As shown in FIG. 12B, the spring plate 614 may form an opening615 that may be coaxial with the axis of the valve housing 602.

The valve spring 608 may have a first end in contact with the ball 610and a second end in contact with the spring plate 614. In someembodiments, the valve spring 608 may be a conical spring having a widerdiameter proximate to the second end 606 and a narrower diameterproximate to the ball 610. The wider diameter end of the valve spring608 may be engaged with or be operatively coupled to the spring plate614, and the narrower diameter end of the valve spring 608 may beengaged with or be operatively coupled to the ball 610. In otherembodiments, the valve spring 608 may be a cylindrical spring. Theoperative engagement between the valve spring 608, the ball 610, and thespring plate 614 may permit an actuator force acting on the ball 610 ina direction along the axis of the valve housing 602 from the first end604 toward the second end 606 to compress the valve spring 608 againstthe spring plate 614.

In some embodiments, the valve 600 may be coupled to the container union222 of the connector 214, the third arm 309 of the tee-fitting 308, thethird arm 426 of the tee-fitting 408, or the third arm 526 of thetee-fitting 508. In operation, the ball 610 may be pressed against theretainer ring 612 by the valve spring 608, sealing the ball 610 againstthe retainer ring 612. In this manner, the ball 610 may place the valve600 in a closed position, preventing fluid communication through thevalve 600. The actuator force may be exerted against the ball 610 in adirection parallel to the axis of the valve housing 602, moving from thefirst end 604 toward the second end 606. The actuator force may move theball 610 axially into the valve housing 602 into an open position, wherethe ball 610 is out of sealing engagement with the retainer ring 612.Movement of the ball 610 into the valve housing 602 toward the springplate 614 may open a fluid path through the valve 600. In someembodiments, the fluid path may flow through the opening 615 of thespring plate 614, through the passages 611 around the ball 610, throughthe opening of the retainer ring 612 and out of the valve 600. If theactuator force is removed, the valve spring 608, which may have beencompressed a distance by the force, may exert a counterforceproportional to a spring constant of the valve spring 608 and thedistance the valve spring 608 was compressed. The counterforce mayreturn the ball 610 to the closed position into sealing engagement withthe retainer ring 612.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an actuator 700 that may be used withsome embodiments of the valve 600 of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B by applyingthe actuator force. The actuator 700 may include a actuator housing 702and a protrusion 704. The actuator housing 702 may be a tubular bodyhaving a length and a union. In some embodiments, the union may havesuitable structures so that the union is configured to be coupled to theunion of the first end 604 of the valve 600. An end of the actuatorhousing 702 opposite the union may be configured to be coupled to aspecimen container, such as a vial, a graduated cylinder, or a bottle,for example.

In some embodiments, the protrusion 704 may be a frustum. In otherembodiments, the protrusion 704 may be other shapes, such as acylindrical shape, for example. The protrusion 704 may protrude from theunion of the actuator housing 702. The protrusion 704 may have aninterior end disposed within an interior of the actuator housing 702. Insome embodiments, the protrusion 704 is hollow. In other embodiments theprotrusion 704 is not hollow. The protrusion 704 may have an outerdiameter less than the inner diameter of the actuator housing 702,thereby forming a fluid path between the protrusion 704 and the innerdiameter surface of the actuator housing 702.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the actuator 700 having internalportions shown in hidden lines, illustrating additional details that maybe associated with some embodiments. As shown in some embodiments ofFIG. 14, the actuator 700 may also include a mounting plate 706. Themounting plate 706 may be disposed in the interior of the actuatorhousing 702 and may have peripheral portions coupled to the innerdiameter surface of the actuator housing 702. The mounting plate 706 maybe separated a distance from an end of the actuator housing 702. Theprotrusion 704 may have the interior end of the protrusion 704 coupledto the mounting plate 706 proximate to a center portion of the mountingplate 706. The protrusion 704 may extend from the mounting plate 706 outof the actuator housing 702 so that the protrusion 704 extends beyondthe male end of the actuator housing 702. The mounting plate 706 mayalso include a plurality of holes 708. The holes 708 may extend throughthe mounting plate 706 to permit fluid communication through themounting plate 706. The holes 708 may be circumferentially spaced aroundthe mounting plate 706. In other embodiments, the holes 708 may not becircumferentially spaced around the mounting plate 706.

FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of the valve 600 and the actuator 700illustrating additional details that may be associated with someembodiments. In operation, the valve 600 may be coupled to a collectionfitting, such as the collection fitting 206, the collection fitting 306,the collection fitting 406, or collection fitting 506, for example. Inan illustrative embodiment, the valve 600 may be coupled to thecontainer union 222 of the connector 214 of the collection fitting 206.In another illustrative embodiment, the valve 600 may be coupled to thethird arm 309 of the tee-fitting 308 of the collection fitting 306. Instill another illustrative embodiment, the valve 600 may be coupled tothe third arm 426 of the tee-fitting 408 of the collection fitting 406.In yet another illustrative embodiment, the valve 600 may be coupled tothe third arm 526 of the tee-fitting 508 of the collection fitting 506.

The actuator 700 may be coupled to a specimen container, such as a vial,a graduated cylinder, or a bottle, for example. In some embodiments, theactuator 700 may be coupled to the specimen container 250, for example.In other embodiments, the actuator 700 may be coupled to the specimencontainer 352, for example. As shown in FIG. 15, the protrusion 704 ofthe actuator 700 may be inserted into the first end 604 of the valve 600so that an end of the protrusion 704 contacts the ball 610. The union ofthe actuator 700 may be coupled to the union of the valve 600 causingthe protrusion 704 to push the ball 610 into the valve housing 602,exerting the actuator force and compressing the valve spring 608 againstthe spring plate 614. In this manner, a fluid path may be createdthrough the valve 600 and the actuator 700, providing a fluid path froma collection fitting, such as the collection fitting 406, for example,to a specimen container. If the specimen container is full, the actuator700 may be uncoupled from the valve 600, and the protrusion 704 may beremoved from the valve 600, allowing the valve spring 608 to move theball 610 into sealing engagement with the retainer ring 612. In someembodiments, the spring force of the valve spring 608 may be sufficientto seal the ball 610 against the retainer ring 612, thereby preventingfluid communication through the valve 600 if there is no actuator 700present.

If the valve 600 is coupled to the third arm 426 of the collectionfitting 406, for example, the valve 600 may permit fluid communicationbetween a dressing and a fluidly coupled reduced-pressure source throughthe lumen 412 and the lumen 413. In some embodiments, if the ball 610 isin contact with the retainer ring 612, the lumen 413 and the lumen 412may fluidly communicate in a space of the valve housing 602 between theball 610 and the second end 606. In this manner, the valve 600 and theactuator 700 may allow for sampling of fluid, including liquids from thetissue site, without stopping the application of reduced-pressuretherapy.

FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a valve assembly 800that may be used in some embodiments of a collection fitting, such asthe collection fitting 206, the collection fitting 306, the collectionfitting 406, or collection fitting 506, for example. The valve assembly800 may include a valve housing 802 and an actuator housing 804. Thevalve housing 802 may be a tubular member. A first end of the valvehousing 802 may include a union 803. A second end 813 of the valvehousing 802 may be opposite the union 803. The valve housing 802 mayinclude a plurality of passages 807 formed in an inner diameter wall ofthe valve housing 802 and extending a portion of an axial length of thevalve housing 802 between the union 803 and the second end 813.

A valve member 806 may be disposed in the valve housing 802. The valvemember 806 may be a conical member having a narrow end disposedproximate to the union 803. A wider end of the valve member 806,opposite the narrow end, may be disposed opposite the union 803 and mayhave a diameter substantially equivalent to the inner diameter of thevalve housing 802 proximate to the union 803. The valve member 806 mayinclude a cylindrical member 808 coupled to an end of the valve member806. In some embodiments, the cylindrical member 808 may be coupled tothe wider end of the valve member 806 and extend away from the union803. A valve spring 810 may circumscribe the cylindrical member 808 sothat a first end of the valve spring 810 may rest against the wider endof the valve member 806 and a second end of the valve spring 810 may becoupled to a retainer bar 811 that extends across the valve housing 802.The valve spring 810 may bias the valve member 806 towards the union803.

The retainer bar 811 may be a cylindrical member having opposing endscoupled to the valve housing 802. In some embodiments, the retainer bar811 may be coupled proximate to ends of the passages 807. A diameter ofthe retainer bar 811 may be sized to permit the retainer bar 811 to passthrough the end of the valve spring 810. In addition, the diameter ofthe retainer bar 811 may be sized to create a gap between thecylindrical side of the retainer bar 811 and the inner diameter surfaceof the valve housing 802. The union 803 may include an O-ring 812disposed on an inner diameter of the union 803. In some embodiments, thevalve member 806 may be pressed against the O-ring 812 to seal theinterior of the valve housing 802 to the valve member 806 and preventfluid communication through the valve housing 802. The position may alsobe referred to as a closed position.

The actuator housing 804 may be a tubular member having a first end 822and a second end 824. The second end of the actuator housing 804 mayinclude a union 805. The union 805 may be configured to be coupled tothe union 803 of the valve housing 802. The actuator housing 804 mayinclude a retainer plate 814. The retainer plate 814 may have peripheralportions coupled to an inner diameter of the actuator housing 804. Theretainer plate 814 may include a plurality of passages 815circumferentially disposed around the retainer plate 814. The passages815 may extend through the retainer plate 814, permitting fluidcommunication through the retainer plate 814. In some embodiments, theretainer plate 814 may have a dome-like shape. In other embodiments, theretainer plate 814 may be flat.

A baffle 816 having a boss 817 may be disposed in the actuator housing804. The baffle 816 may be positioned between the retainer plate 814 andthe union 805. The baffle 816 may be circular and have an outer diameterthat is less than the inner diameter of the actuator housing 804 so thatthere may be a gap between the outer diameter of the baffle 816 and theinner diameter of the actuator housing 804. The boss 817 may be coupledto a first side of the baffle 816, and the boss 817 may rest on theretainer plate 814 to separate the retainer plate 814 and the baffle816.

A pillar 820 may be coupled to the baffle 816 opposite the boss 817. Insome embodiments, the pillar 820 may be a cylindrical member extendingaway from the baffle 816 toward the union 805. In some embodiments, thepillar 820 may have a diameter less than the inner diameter of theactuator housing 804 so that there may be a fluid path between thepillar 820 and the actuator housing 804. The pillar 820 may have alength such that an end of the pillar 820 may be proximate to the end ofthe union 805. In some embodiments, the pillar 820 may extend beyond theend of the union 805. In other embodiments, the end of the pillar 820may be adjacent to the end of the union 805.

The actuator housing 804 may also include a guide member 818 coupledproximate to the union 805. The guide member 818 may be a tubular memberhaving a length less than a length of the pillar 820. The guide member818 may have an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of thepillar 820. The pillar 820 may pass through the guide member 818. Thepillar 820 may move radially within the guide member 818, but the guidemember 818 may at least partially limit the radial movement of thepillar 820.

In operation, the valve housing 802 may be coupled to a collectionfitting. In some embodiments, the valve housing 802 may be coupled tothe container union 222 of the connector 214 of the collection fitting206. In other embodiments, the valve housing 802 may be coupled to thethird arm 309 of the tee-fitting 308 of the collection fitting 306. Instill other embodiments, the valve housing 802 may be coupled to thethird arm 426 of the tee-fitting 408 of the collection fitting 406. Inyet other embodiments, the valve housing 802 may be coupled to the thirdarm 526 of the tee-fitting 508 of the collection fitting 506. Theactuator housing 804 may be coupled to a specimen container, such as avial, a graduated cylinder, or a bottle, for example. In someembodiments, the actuator housing 804 may be coupled to the specimencontainer 250 of FIG. 7. In other embodiments, the actuator housing 804may be coupled to the specimen container 352 of FIG. 8A, for example.

Reduced pressure may be applied to a tissue site through the collectionfitting. If no specimen container is present, fluid communicationbetween the tissue site and the reduced-pressure source may occurbetween the valve member 806 and the second end 813 of the valve housing802. For example, fluid communication may occur between the lumen 312and the lumen 313 of the collection fitting 306 through the valvehousing 802. If a sample is desired, the actuator housing 804, having aspecimen container coupled to the first end 822, may be coupled to thevalve housing 802. For example, the union 805 may be coupled to theunion 803 of the valve housing 802. In response, the pillar 820 maycontact the narrower end of the valve member 806, forcing the valvemember 806 into the interior of the valve housing 802 and compressingthe valve spring 810. This may place the valve assembly 800 in an openposition. In response, fluid may flow past the valve member 806 throughthe passages 807 around the baffle 816 through the retainer plate 814and into the specimen container. If the specimen container contains adesired amount of fluid, the union 805 and the union 803 may beuncoupled and the valve spring 810 may exert a counterforce proportionalto a spring constant of the valve spring 810 and the amount the valvespring 810 was compressed, forcing the valve member 806 outwards intocontact with the O-ring 812 and sealing the valve housing 802. If thevalve member 806 is sealed to the O-ring 812 and the first end 822, thevalve assembly 800 may be in a closed position that prevents furtherfluid communication with the specimen container.

Bypass Switch

FIG. 17 is a sectional exploded view of a collection fitting 900 thatmay be used with a reduced-pressure therapy system, such as thereduced-pressure therapy system 100. The collection fitting 900 may bean example embodiment of the collection fitting 106. As shown in FIG.17, the collection fitting 900 may include a head unit 902, a bypassswitch 904, and a device housing 906. The head unit 902 may include acap 908 and a switch fitting 910. The cap 908 may be a cylindrical bodyhaving a first end 921 and a second end 922. The cap 908 may have aflange 912 coupled to the first end 921 and extending outwardly from thecylindrical body of the cap 908. The cap 908 may have a first bore 916and a second bore 914. The first bore 916 may extend through the cap 908from the first end 921 to the second end 922, permitting fluidcommunication through the cap 908. Similarly, the second bore 914 mayextend through the cap 908 from the first end 921 to the second end 922,permitting fluid communication through the second bore 914.

The flange 912 of the cap 908 may include one or more bores 918 disposedproximate to peripheral portions of the flange 912. The bores 918 mayextend through the flange 912. The flange 912 may form a shoulder 924that extends from the cap 908 to a peripheral portion of the flange 912.The cap 908 may have a length X that extends from the shoulder 924 tothe second end 922. In some embodiments, the shoulder 924 may be anannular member. In some embodiments, the cap 908 may have an annularrecess 923 proximate to the second end 922. The annular recess 923 mayreceive a sealing member 929, for example, an O-ring, permitting the cap908 to be sealed to an adjoining member.

The switch fitting 910 may be a cylindrical body having a first end 911,a second end 913, and a cavity 930. The cavity 930 may be formed in thefirst end 911 proximate to a center of the first end 911 and extend intothe switch fitting 910. In some embodiments, the cavity 930 may have aninner wall 934 forming a bottom of the cavity 930. In some embodiments,the cavity 930 may have a depth Y extending from the first end 911 ofthe switch fitting 910 to the inner wall 934. In some embodiments, thecavity 930 may have a generally cylindrical shape. In other embodiments,the cavity 930 may have a cuboid, pyramidal, conical, spherical, oramorphous shape.

The switch fitting 910 may further have a first passage 940 and a secondpassage 942. The first passage 940 and the second passage 942 may eachopen into the cavity 930 and extend through the switch fitting 910 fromthe cavity 930 to the second end 913. In some embodiments, the switchfitting 910 may include a first nipple 936 positioned within the firstpassage 940 and extending outwardly into and through the cavity 930. Insome embodiments, the first nipple 936 may have a wider portion disposedwithin the first passage 940 and a narrower portion extending into andthrough the cavity 930. The first nipple 936 may be coupled to the firstpassage 940, such as with adhesives, fasteners, or an interference fit,for example. In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the first nipple936 may be fluidly sealed to the first passage 940.

The switch fitting 910 may also include a second nipple 938 positionedwithin the second passage 942 and extending outwardly from the secondpassage 942 into and through the cavity 930. In some embodiments, thesecond nipple 938 may have a wider portion disposed within the secondpassage 942 and a narrower portion extending into and through the cavity930. The second nipple 938 may be coupled to the second passage 942,such as with adhesives, fasteners, or an interference fit, for example.In some embodiments, an outer diameter of the second nipple 938 may besealed to the second passage 942. Both the first nipple 936 and thesecond nipple 938 may extend upward from the inner wall 934 of thecavity 930. The first nipple 936 may be in fluid communication with thefirst passage 940, and the second nipple 938 may be in fluidcommunication with the second passage 942. The first nipple 936 and thesecond nipple 938 may each have a fluid path extending a length of therespective nipple.

The switch fitting 910 may have a flange 926 coupled to the first end911 proximate to the cavity 930. The flange 926 may extend outwardlyfrom the switch fitting 910. In some embodiments, the flange 926 mayform a shoulder 927 and a shoulder 925, each extends between thecylindrical body of the switch fitting 910 and a peripheral portion ofthe flange 926. In some embodiments, the flange 926 may include bores928 positioned proximate to peripheral portions of the flange 926. Thebores 928 may extend through the flange 926.

In some embodiments, the head unit 902 may include both the cap 908 andthe switch fitting 910. In other embodiments, the switch fitting 910 maynot include the first nipple 936 and the second nipple 938. In stillother embodiments, the head unit 902 may include the switch fitting 910without the cap 908.

The bypass switch 904 may include a switch 948 and a switch retainer950. The switch 948 may be a cylindrical member having a flange 954coupled to a first end 949 of the switch 948. The flange 954 may extendoutwardly from the switch 948 and may include a shoulder 956. The switch948 may further include a bypass passage 952 formed in the first end 949of the switch 948. The bypass passage 952 may recess into the first end949 of the switch 948 and may have a length such that a first end of thebypass passage 952 may be disposed adjacent to the first passage 940 anda second end of the bypass passage 952 may be disposed adjacent to thesecond passage 942 if the collection fitting 900 is assembled. In someembodiments, the switch 948 may have annular recesses disposed in theflange 954 that may receive annular sealing members, for example,O-rings, to seal the switch 948 to the switch fitting 910. In someembodiments, the switch 948 may include a keyhole 953 formed in a secondend 951 of the switch 948. The keyhole 953 may be disposed on an outerdiameter portion of the second end 951 of the switch 948. In otherembodiments, the keyhole 953 may be disposed on other portions of thesecond end 951 of the switch 948.

The switch retainer 950 may be a tubular member having a length greaterthan a length of the switch fitting 910. The switch retainer 950 mayalso have a flange 960 coupled to a lower end of the switch retainer950. The flange 960 may be an annular flange and extend inwardly from aninner surface of the switch retainer 950. The flange 960 may form ashoulder 962 which is annular and that may have a width that issubstantially equivalent to the width of the shoulder 956 of the flange954 of the switch 948. In some embodiments, the shoulder 962 may beconfigured to receive the shoulder 956 so that the shoulder 962 maycontact the shoulder 956. In some embodiments, the switch retainer 950may have an inner diameter such that the outer diameter of the flange954 may fit within the switch retainer 950, and the cylindrical portionof the switch fitting 910 may have a diameter substantially equal to theinner diameter of the switch retainer 950.

The device housing 906 may be a tubular member having a first end 961and a second end 963. The device housing 906 may have one or more bores966 disposed circumferentially around the first end 961 of the devicehousing 906. In some embodiments, the bores 966 may be threaded toreceive a threaded member within the bores 966. The device housing 906may have an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the switchretainer 950, the switch fitting 910, and the cap 908 so that portionsof the above-described members may fit within the tubular member of thedevice housing 906. The device housing 906 may have a detent 970 on aninner diameter surface of the device housing 906 proximate to the secondend 963. In some embodiments, the detent 970 may be an annular member.In other embodiments, the detent 970 may extend a portion of an arcuatedistance of the inner diameter of the device housing 906.

FIG. 18A is a sectional view of the collection fitting 900 illustratingadditional details that may be associated with some embodiments. The cap908 may be coupled to the switch fitting 910 so that the cap 908 may fitwithin the cavity 930 of the switch fitting 910. The shoulder 925 of theflange 926 may be in contact with the shoulder 924 of the flange 926.The bores 918 of the flange 912 may be substantially aligned with thebores 928 of the flange 926. The first nipple 936 and the second nipple938 may pass into the first bore 916 and the second bore 914,respectively.

As may be seen in FIG. 18A, the distance X of the cap 908 between theflange 912 and the second end 922 is less than the depth Y of the cavity930. If the cap 908 is coupled to the switch fitting 910, a gap 935 maybe formed between the inner wall 934 of the cavity 930 and the secondend 922 of the cap 908. The gap 935 may allow fluid communicationbetween the first bore 916 and the second bore 914.

The switch 948 may be positioned within the switch retainer 950 so thatthe shoulder 956 of the flange 954 may be in contact with and rest onthe shoulder 962 of the flange 960. The contact area between theshoulder 956 of the flange 954 and the shoulder 962 of the flange 960may form a bearing, for example a plain bearing, that may permit theshoulder 956 and the shoulder 962 to slip relative to one another if arotational force is applied to the switch 948. In other embodiments, thebearing may be a rolling element bearing, a fluid bearing, a magneticbearing, or a flexure bearing, for example.

The switch retainer 950, having the switch 948 disposed therein, may becoupled to the switch fitting 910. In some embodiments, the cylindricalportion of the switch fitting 910 may be inserted into the switchretainer 950 until the second end 913 of the switch fitting 910 maycontact the first end 949 of the switch 948. The switch retainer 950 maybe secured to the switch fitting 910 by a suitable means, such as bywelding, with adhesives, with fasteners, or with an interference fit,for example. The flange 960 may hold the switch 948 against the secondend 913 of the switch fitting 910. The bypass switch 904 and the headunit 902 may be inserted into the interior portion of the device housing906. In some embodiments, the bores 918 of the flange 912, the bores 928of the flange 926, and the bores 966 of the device housing 906 may besubstantially aligned. Fasteners may then be fitted through the bores918, the bores 928, and the bores 966 to secure the head unit 902,bypass switch 904, and the device housing 906 to each other.

The switch 948 may move relative to the switch fitting 910 and theswitch retainer 950. For example, the switch 948 may rotate coaxiallyrelative to the switch fitting 910 and the switch retainer 950. As shownin FIG. 18A, the switch 948 may be in a bypass position. In the bypassposition, the first end of the bypass passage 952 may be in fluidcommunication with the first nipple 936, and the second end of thebypass passage 952 may be in fluid communication with the second nipple938. Fluid provided to the first nipple 936 may flow to the secondnipple 938 through the bypass passage 952. Similarly, fluid provided tothe second nipple 938 may flow to the first nipple 936 through thebypass passage 952.

FIG. 18B is a sectional assembly view of the collection fitting 900illustrating additional details that may be associated with someembodiments. In some embodiments, the collection fitting 900 may includefasteners 972 securing the head unit 902 to the device housing 906. Thefasteners 972 may be passed through the bores 918 of the flange 912, thebores 928 of the flange 926, and thread to the bores 966 of the devicehousing 906. In some embodiments, the bypass switch 904 has been placedin a sampling position. In the sampling position, the switch 948 mayfurther include a first passage 974 and a second passage 976. The firstpassage 974 and the second passage 976 may extend through the switch948. If in the sampling position, the first passage 974 may besubstantially aligned with the first passage 940, and the second passage976 may be substantially aligned with the second passage 942. And thebypass passage 952 may not be in fluid communication with the firstpassage 940 or the second passage 942 of the switch fitting 910.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a specimen container 982 that maybe used with the collection fitting 900 of FIG. 17, FIG. 18A, and FIG.18B. The specimen container 982 may be a tubular member having a closedend formed by a bottom wall 983. The specimen container 982 may alsoinclude a cap 964 that may be coupled to the open end of the specimencontainer 982 opposite the bottom wall 983. In some embodiments, thespecimen container 982 may be secured to the cap 964 through a pair ofmating threads 992, for example. In other embodiments, the specimencontainer 982 and the cap 964 may be coupled through welding, adhesives,or with an interference fit, for example.

The cap 964 may be a tubular body having a side wall 965 and a top wall967. In some embodiments, the side wall 965 may be annular. The top wall967 may have peripheral portions coupled to an end of the side wall 965to form the cap 964. The cap 964 may further include a first nipple 986and a second nipple 988. The first nipple 986 and the second nipple 988may be cylindrical members coupled to the top wall 967 of the cap 964and having a fluid passage extending a length of the cylindrical memberthrough the top wall 967 of the cap 964. In some embodiments, the firstnipple 986 and the second nipple 988 may have frustoconical portions onan end of the first nipple 986 and the second nipple 988 opposite thetop wall 967. The first nipple 986 may have a size and shape such thatthe first nipple 986 may be inserted into the first passage 974 of theswitch 948. Similarly, the second nipple 988 may have a size and shapesuch that the second nipple 988 may be inserted into the second passage976 of the switch 948.

The side wall 965 of the cap 964 may have a detent 990 formed on anexterior surface of the side wall 965. In some embodiments, the detent990 may extend outwardly from the side wall 965 of the cap 964. In someembodiments, the detent 990 may be an annular member. In someembodiments, the detent 990 may be configured to mate with the detent970 of the device housing 906.

FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22 are schematic cross-sectional views of thecollection fitting 900 and the specimen container 982 illustratingadditional details that may be associated with some embodiments. In someembodiments, the cap 964 may include a key 984. The key 984 may beformed on a surface of the top wall 967 opposite the side wall 965 sothat the key 984 may protrude from the top wall 967. In someembodiments, the key 984 may be sized to fit within the keyhole 953 ofthe switch 948.

As shown in FIG. 20, a first tube 978 may be coupled to the collectionfitting 900, for example, to the first nipple 936. Similarly, a secondtube 980 may be coupled to the collection fitting 900, for example, tothe second nipple 938. In some embodiments, the first tube 978 may be amulti-lumen tube having a central lumen 977 disposed in a center of thefirst tube 978 and one or more peripheral lumens 979 disposed about aperiphery of the first tube 978. Similarly, the second tube 980 may be amulti-lumen tube having a central lumen 981 disposed in a center of thesecond tube 980 and one or more peripheral lumens 985 disposed about aperiphery of the second tube 980.

The first tube 978 may be secured to the first nipple 936 so that thecentral lumen 977 of the first tube 978 may be in fluid communicationwith the first passage 940 through the first nipple 936. In someembodiments, an end of the first nipple 936 may be inserted into thecentral lumen 977 of the first tube 978. In some embodiments, the firstnipple 936 may have a frustoconical shape having the narrower portionseparated from the inner wall 934 of the cavity 930. An increasingdiameter of the first nipple 936 may limit the amount the first nipple936 may be inserted into the first tube 978. In this manner, an end ofthe first tube 978 may be separated from the inner wall 934 of thecavity 930. As a result, the central lumen 977 of the first tube 978 maybe in fluid communication through the first nipple 936, and theperipheral lumens 979 of the first tube 978 may be in fluidcommunication with the gap 935. In some embodiments, a portion of theouter diameter surface of the first tube 978 may seal to the first bore916.

The second tube 980 may be secured to the second nipple 938 so that thecentral lumen 981 of the second tube 980 may be in fluid communicationwith the second passage 942 through the second nipple 938. In someembodiments, an end of the second nipple 938 may be inserted into thecentral lumen 981 of the second tube 980. In some embodiments, thesecond nipple 938 may have a frustoconical shape having the narrowerportion separated from the inner wall 934 of the cavity 930. Anincreasing diameter of the second nipple 938 may limit the amount thesecond nipple 938 may be inserted into the second tube 980. In thismanner, an end of the second tube 980 may be separated from the innerwall 934 of the cavity 930. As a result, the central lumen 981 of thesecond tube 980 may be in fluid communication through the second nipple938, and the peripheral lumens 985 of the second tube 980 may be influid communication with the cavity 930. In some embodiments, a portionof the outer diameter surface of the second tube 980 may seal to thesecond bore 914.

The peripheral lumens 979 of the first tube 978 may be in fluidcommunication with the gap 935 if the first tube 978 is fluidly coupledto the first nipple 936. Similarly, the peripheral lumens 985 of thesecond tube 980 may be in fluid communication with the gap 935 if thesecond tube 980 is fluidly coupled to the second nipple 938. In thismanner, the peripheral lumens 979 and the peripheral lumens 985 may befluidly coupled through the gap 935.

As shown in FIG. 20, the collection fitting 900 may be disposed with thebypass switch 904 in the bypass position so that the bypass passage 952may be in fluid communication with the first passage 940 and the secondpassage 942. If the bypass switch 904 is in the bypass position, thecentral lumen 977 of the first tube 978 and the central lumen 981 of thesecond tube 980 are fluidly coupled. In this manner, fluid and reducedpressure may be communicated through the bypass switch 904 between thetissue site and the reduced-pressure source or container.

In some embodiments, the first tube 978 may be fluidly coupled to areduced-pressure source through a container, and the second tube 980 maybe fluidly coupled to a tissue site through a dressing. If thereduced-pressure source is operated, the reduced-pressure source maysupply reduced-pressure to the first tube 978 through the central lumen977 of the first tube 978. The reduced pressure may be communicated fromthe first tube 978 to the second tube 980 through the bypass passage952. The second tube 980 may communicate the reduced pressure to thedressing through the central lumen 981 of the second tube 980.

In some embodiments, the reduced-pressure source may provide feedbackregarding the provision of reduced pressure therapy by determining apressure at the tissue site. The reduced-pressure source may have one ormore pressure sensors fluidly coupled to the peripheral lumens 979 ofthe first tube 978. The peripheral lumens 979 of the first tube 978 maybe in fluid communication with the peripheral lumens 985 of the secondtube 980 through the gap 935, and the peripheral lumens 985 of thesecond tube 980 may further be in fluid communication with the tissuesite through the dressing. The pressure at the tissue site may becommunicated to the pressure sensors of the reduced-pressure sourcealong this path, allowing the reduced-pressure source to determine thepressure at the tissue site. In these embodiments, the gap 935 mayoperate as a sensing bypass to fluidly communicate pressure if theswitch 948 is both in the bypass position and in the sampling position.

To take a sample of the liquid from the tissue site, the specimencontainer 982 may be brought proximate to the device housing 906 of thecollection fitting 900. As shown in FIG. 21, the specimen container 982may be inserted into the collection fitting 900 so that the specimencontainer 982 engages the bypass switch 904. In some embodiments, thefirst nipple 986 of the cap 964 may be inserted into the first passage974 of the switch 948, and the second nipple 988 of the cap 964 may beinserted into the second passage 976 of the switch 948. In someembodiments, the key 984 of the cap 964 may be inserted into the keyhole953 of the switch 948. The cap 964 may be moved into the device housing906 until the detent 990 of the cap 964 moves past the detent 970 of thedevice housing 906, securing the cap 964, and the coupled specimencontainer 982, to the device housing 906 and the collection fitting 900.

The cap 964 may rotate relative to the device housing 906 while insertedinto the device housing 906. The specimen container 982 may be rotatedabout 90°, rotating the switch 948 through the engaged first nipple 986and first passage 974 and the second nipple 988 and the second passage976. In some embodiments, rotational motion may be transferred throughthe key 984 of the cap 964 and the keyhole 953 of the switch 948. Therotation moves the bypass passage 952 out of fluid communication withthe first passage 940 and the second passage 942. As shown in FIG. 22,the rotation also aligns the first passage 974 with the first passage940 and the second passage 976 with the second passage 942.

Reduced pressure, supplied by the reduced-pressure source may becommunicated to the dressing between the central lumens 977, 981 of thefirst tube 978 and the second tube 980, respectively, through the firstpassage 974, the second passage 976, and the specimen container 982. Asthe reduced-pressure draws off fluids, including liquids from the tissuesite, the fluids may be communicated through the specimen container 982.The specimen container 982 may fill with liquid from the tissue site forsampling. Once a sufficiently sized sample of fluids has been receivedby the specimen container 982, the specimen container 982 may be rotatedagain 90° to bring the bypass passage 952 into fluid communication withthe first passage 940 and the second passage 942, allowing fluidcommunication to occur through the bypass passage 952 as shown in FIG.20.

FIG. 23 is a sectional assembly view of a collection fitting 1000 thatmay be used with a reduced-pressure therapy system, such as thereduced-pressure therapy system 100 of FIG. 1. The collection fitting1000 may be an example embodiment of the collection fitting 106. Thecollection fitting 1000 may include a chassis 1002, a switch 1004, adisc cup 1006, and a cap 1008. In some embodiments, the collectionfitting 1000 may have a first tube 1010 having a union for coupling toanother device and a second tube 1012 having a union for coupling toanother device. Generally, the chassis 1002 may be a tubular body havingan interior formed by an annular wall. Opposing ends of the chassis 1002may be open.

The switch 1004 may be a generally disc-like body having a first port1014 and a second port 1016. The first port 1014 and the second port1016 may permit fluid communication through the switch 1004. The switch1004 may be disposed within the chassis 1002 between the open ends ofthe chassis 1002.

The disc cup 1006 may be a generally cylindrical body and may include afirst nipple 1018 and a second nipple 1020. The first nipple 1018 andthe second nipple 1020 may permit fluid communication through the disccup 1006. The disc cup 1006 may also be disposed in the chassis 1002. Insome embodiments, the disc cup 1006 may be disposed within the chassis1002 adjacent to the switch 1004. In some embodiments, the first nipple1018 may be in fluid communication with the first port 1014 of theswitch 1004 if the disc cup 1006 and the switch 1004 are disposed withinthe chassis 1002. Similarly, the second nipple 1020 may be in fluidcommunication with the second port 1016 if the disc cup 1006 and theswitch 1004 are disposed within the chassis 1002. In other embodiments,the first nipple 1018 and the first port 1014 may not be in fluidcommunication if the disc cup 1006 and the switch 1004 are disposedwithin the chassis 1002. Similarly, the second nipple 1020 and thesecond port 1016 may not be in fluid communication if the disc cup 1006and the switch 1004 are disposed within the chassis 1002.

The cap 1008 may be a tubular body having an open end and a closed end.The cap 1008 may include a first passage 1022 and a second passage 1024disposed in the closed end. The first passage 1022 and the secondpassage 1024 may be elongate members having portions depending into aninterior of the cap 1008. In some embodiments, the first passage 1022and the second passage 1024 may be disposed in a center portion of theclosed end of the cap 1008. The cap 1008 may mount to the chassis 1002.In some embodiments, the chassis 1002 may be inserted into the open endof the cap 1008 and coupled to the cap 1008 so that the first passage1022 may be in fluid communication with the first nipple 1018.Similarly, the second passage 1024 may be in fluid communication withthe second nipple 1020. The first passage 1022 and the second passage1024 may provide a fluid path through the closed end of the cap 1008.The chassis 1002 and the cap 1008 may enclose or partially enclose theswitch 1004 and the disc cup 1006.

The first tube 1010 may be a tube having at least one lumen. In someembodiments, the first tube 1010 may be a multi-lumen tube. The firsttube 1010 may be coupled to the first passage 1022 of the cap 1008. Insome embodiments, the first tube 1010 may be in fluid communication withthe first passage 1022 if the first tube 1010 is coupled to the firstpassage 1022 of the cap 1008.

The second tube 1012 may be a tube having at least one lumen. In someembodiments, the second tube 1012 may be a multi-lumen tube. The secondtube 1012 may be coupled to the second passage 1024 of the cap 1008. Insome embodiments, the second tube 1012 may be in fluid communicationwith the second passage 1024 if the second tube 1012 is coupled to thesecond passage 1024 of the cap 1008.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the chassis 1002 illustratingadditional details that may be associated with some embodiments. Asdescribed above, the chassis 1002 may be a tubular body formed by anannular wall 1026. The annular wall 1026 may have an interior surface1025, an exterior surface 1027, a circumference, and a length L. Theannular wall 1026 may have an axis 1029 passing through a center of theannular wall 1026. The annular wall 1026 may also have an upper end anda lower end. The upper and lower end may be opposite one another and maybe considered upper and lower for descriptive purposes relative to thepositioning of the chassis 1002 in FIG. 24.

The annular wall 1026 may also include one or more mounting slots 1032formed in the annular wall 1026. The mounting slot 1032 may pass throughthe annular wall 1026 from the exterior surface 1027 to the interiorsurface 1025. The mounting slot 1032 may have an axial portion 1035 thatextends from the lower end of the annular wall 1026 parallel to the axis1029 of the annular wall 1026. The axial portion 1035 of the mountingslot 1032 may extend a distance toward the upper end less than thelength L of the annular wall 1026.

The mounting slot 1032 may also include a circumferential portion 1037extending circumferentially parallel to the circumference of the annularwall 1026. The circumferential portion 1037 of the mounting slot 1032extends from an end of the axial portion 1035 of the mounting slot 1032.The circumferential portion 1037 of the mounting slot 1032 may extend acircumferential distance less than the circumference of the annular wall1026. In some embodiments, the circumferential portion 1037 of themounting slot 1032 may have a wider portion proximate to the union ofthe circumferential portion 1037 and the axial portion 1035 and anarrower portion proximate to an opposite end of the circumferentialportion 1037. In some embodiments, the chassis 1002 may include twomounting slots 1032 that are circumferentially spaced about the annularwall 1026. In other embodiments, the chassis 1002 may have more or fewermounting slots 1032.

One or more apertures 1034 may be formed in the annular wall 1026. Theapertures 1034 may pass through the annular wall 1026 from the exteriorsurface 1027 to the interior surface 1025 of the annular wall 1026. Insome embodiments, the apertures 1034 may be proximate to the upper endof the annular wall 1026. In other embodiments, the apertures 1034 maybe adjacent to the upper end of the annular wall 1026. In someembodiments, the apertures 1034 may have an elongated shape includingsides parallel to each other and the circumference of the annular wall1026. The apertures 1034 may also have opposing rounded ends that jointo the parallel sides. In some embodiments, the apertures 1034 may becircumferentially spaced around the annular wall 1026. In someembodiments, the apertures 1034 may all be located a same distance fromthe upper end of the annular wall 1026. In some embodiments, the chassis1002 includes four apertures 1034. In other embodiments, the chassis1002 may include more or fewer apertures 1034.

The chassis 1002 may also have a chassis flange 1028. The chassis flange1028 may be an annular member and may include a shoulder 1031. Thechassis flange 1028 may be coupled to the exterior surface 1027 of theannular wall 1026. In some embodiments, the chassis flange 1028 may becoupled to the annular wall 1026 proximate to the lower end of theannular wall 1026. In other embodiments, the chassis flange 1028 may becoupled adjacent to the lower end of the annular wall 1026. As shown inFIG. 24, the chassis flange 1028 may circumscribe the annular wall 1026adjacent to the mounting slots 1032.

The chassis 1002 may also include one or more gusset plates 1030. Thegusset plates 1030 may couple to the shoulder 1031 of the chassis flange1028. The gusset plates 1030 may further couple to the exterior surface1027 of the annular wall 1026. The gusset plates 1030 may becircumferentially spaced around the annular wall 1026.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the chassis 1002 taken along line25-25 of FIG. 24 illustrating additional details that may be associatedwith some embodiments. The chassis 1002 may further include a key 1033and a switch ring 1036. The switch ring 1036 may be an annular memberhaving an outer diameter and an inner diameter. Peripheral portions ofthe switch ring 1036 may be coupled to the interior surface 1025 of theannular wall 1026. In some embodiments, the switch ring 1036 may becoupled to the annular wall 1026 adjacent to the mounting slots 1032. Inother embodiments, the switch ring 1036 may be coupled to the annularwall 1026 proximate to an upper circumferential edge of the mountingslots 1032. The switch ring 1036 may form a shoulder 1038. The shoulder1038 may be an annular member.

In some embodiments, the key 1033 may be an axial protrusion extendingfrom the shoulder 1038. The key 1033 may extend inwardly from theinterior surface 1025 toward the axis 1029 of the annular wall 1026. Insome embodiments, the key 1033 may have a width substantially equal to awidth of the shoulder 1038. In other embodiments, the key 1033 may havea width less than a width of the shoulder 1038. The key 1033 may haveheight less than a height of the annular wall 1026 so that the key 1033may extend from the shoulder 1038 a distance less than the length L ofthe annular wall 1026. In some embodiments, an end of the key 1033opposite the shoulder 1038 may be separated from the upper end of theannular wall 1026. In some embodiments, the end of the key 1033 may beseparated from a lower edge of the apertures 1034.

FIG. 26A is a top view of the switch 1004 illustrating additionaldetails that may be associated with some embodiments. The switch 1004may include an inner base 1040. The inner base 1040 may be a cylindricalbody having the first port 1014 and the second port 1016 formed therein.The inner base 1040 may include counterbores 1041 proximate to the firstport 1014 and the second port 1016. The counterbores 1041 may have ahorizontal dimension larger than the second port 1016 and the first port1014. The inner base 1040 may further have a bypass passage 1042 formedbetween the first port 1014 and the second port 1016. In someembodiments, the bypass passage 1042 is a recess formed in a top of theinner base 1040 and may include two semicircular portions on opposingsides of the top of the inner base 1040. The two semicircular portionsmay be joined by a fluid passage extending between the first port 1014and the second port 1016 so that the opposing portions of the bypasspassage 1042 may be in fluid communication with each other and fluidlyisolated from the first port 1014 and the second port 1016.

The switch 1004 may also include a flange 1044 coupled to a centerportion of the inner base 1040. The flange 1044 may extend radiallyoutward from the inner base 1040. The flange 1044 may include a shoulder1050. The shoulder 1050 may be an annular surface. In some embodiments,the flange 1044 may be a generally circular body. In some embodiments,the flange 1044 may include a cut-out 1046. The cut-out 1046 may be aportion of the flange 1044 that recesses radially inward from an outerdiameter of the flange 1044. The cut-out 1046 may have an arcuatedistance less than a circumference of the flange 1044. In someembodiments, the cut-out 1046 may form a first shoulder 1043 and asecond shoulder 1045 on opposite ends of the cut-out 1046. The firstshoulder 1043 and the second shoulder 1045 may face each other around aportion of the circumference of the flange 1044. The flange 1044 mayalso include a notch 1048 formed in the flange 1044. The notch 1048 mayhave a semicircular shape.

FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional view of the switch 1004 taken along line26B-26B illustrating additional details that may be associated with someembodiments. The inner base 1040 may have a thickness 1051, and theflange 1044 may have a thickness 1053. In some embodiments, thethickness 1053 may be less than the thickness 1051. The flange 1044 mayalso include a shoulder 1052. The shoulder 1052 may be an annular memberopposite the shoulder 1050. The first port 1014 and the second port 1016may be substantially tubular bodies depending from the inner base 1040.The first port 1014 and the second port 1016 each have a length greaterthan a thickness of the inner base 1040 so that the first port 1014 andthe second port 1016 may depend from a lower portion of the inner base1040.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the disc cup 1006 illustratingadditional details that may be associated with some embodiments. Thedisc cup 1006 may include a tubular wall 1054. The tubular wall 1054 mayhave a bottom wall 1056 coupled to one end of the tubular wall 1054 andan open end 1055 opposite the bottom wall 1056. The tubular wall 1054may also include a plurality of protrusions 1058. The protrusions 1058may be coupled to an exterior portion of the tubular wall 1054 proximateto the open end 1055. The protrusions 1058 may be circumferentiallyspaced around the tubular wall 1054. Each protrusion 1058 may have anarcuate length that is less than a circumference of the tubular wall1054. The protrusions 1058 protrude radially outward from the tubularwall 1054. The tubular wall 1054 may also include a notch 1060 formed onexterior portion adjacent to the bottom wall 1056. The notch 1060recesses into the tubular wall 1054.

The disc cup 1006 may also include an inner wall 1064. The inner wall1064 may have an end coupled to the bottom wall 1056 and may extendupwardly from the bottom wall 1056. In some embodiments, the inner wall1064 may have a height substantially similar to a height of the tubularwall 1054. In some embodiments, the inner wall 1064 may have a portionextending through the open end 1055. In some embodiments, the inner wall1064 may be circular and have an interior portion. In the someembodiments, the inner wall 1064 may be ovoid. The inner wall 1064 mayhave a thickness. In some embodiments, the inner wall 1064 may bepartially countersunk so that an end of the inner wall 1064 opposite thebottom wall 1056 may have a shoulder 1065 on an inner dimension of theinner wall 1064. The shoulder 1065 may be an annular member and face theopen end 1055. The inner wall 1064 may generally define an interiorspace that is hollow and may be fluidly separate from an interior spacedefined by the tubular wall 1054.

The first nipple 1018 may be disposed in the interior portion of theinner wall 1064. The first nipple 1018 may be a generally cylindricalbody having a fluid passage extending through the cylindrical body. Thefirst nipple 1018 may have a first portion 1017 having a first diameterand a second portion 1019 having a second diameter. In some embodimentsthe first diameter may be greater than the second diameter. The firstportion 1017 may be coupled to the bottom wall 1056 and extend upwardlytherefrom. The second portion 1019 may extend from the first portion1017 to form a shoulder 1068 where the first portion 1017 and the secondportion 1019 join.

The second nipple 1020 may be disposed in the interior portion of theinner wall 1064. The second nipple 1020 may be a generally cylindricalbody having a fluid passage extending through the cylindrical body. Thesecond nipple 1020 may have a first portion 1021 having a first diameterand a second portion 1023 having a second diameter. In some embodiments,the first diameter maybe greater than the second diameter. The firstportion 1021 may be coupled to the bottom wall 1056 and extend upwardlytherefrom. The second portion 1023 may extend from the first portion1021 to form a shoulder 1072 where the first portion 1021 and the secondportion 1023 join.

FIG. 28A is a side view of the disc cup 1006 illustrating additionaldetails that may be associated with some embodiments. As shown, thefirst nipple 1018 and the second nipple 1020 may have a length greaterthan a length of the tubular wall 1054 and the inner wall 1064 so thatat least a part of the second portion 1019 and the second portion 1023may extend above the inner wall 1064.

FIG. 28B is a top view of the disc cup 1006 illustrating additionaldetails that may be associated with some embodiments. As shown, theinner wall 1064 may surround a center portion 1073 of the bottom wall1056. The first nipple 1018 and the second nipple 1020 may be coupled tothe bottom wall 1056 on opposite sides of the center portion 1073 of thebottom wall 1056. The inner wall 1064 may also surround the first nipple1018 and the second nipple 1020.

FIG. 28C is a cross-sectional view of the disc cup 1006 illustratingadditional details that may be associated with some embodiments. Asshown, the second nipple 1020 may be coupled to the bottom wall 1056 andbe surrounded by the inner wall 1064. In some embodiments, the secondnipple 1020 may not couple to or come into contact with the inner wall1064. In some embodiments, there may be a region of open space betweenthe second nipple 1020 and the inner wall 1064. The region of open spacemay also be referred to as a sensing bypass 1063.

FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional assembly view of a specimen containerassembly 1100 that may be used with a collection fitting, for examplethe collection fitting 1000. The specimen container assembly 1100 mayinclude a specimen container 1102 and a cap 1104. The specimen container1102 may be a tubular member having a closed end formed by a bottom wall1108. The specimen container 1102 may have an end opposite the bottomwall 1108 that may include a threaded portion 1110 on an exteriorportion of the specimen container 1102.

The cap 1104 may be a tubular member having into an interior diametersurface and an open end having a thread 1112 formed on the interiordiameter surface. The cap 1104 may have a first port 1116 and a secondport 1118 opposite the open end. The first port 1116 and the second port1118 may be disposed proximate to a center of the cap 1104. The firstport 1116 may include an extension 1114 depending towards the open endof the cap 1104. The cap 1104 may have an annular wall 1120 surroundingthe first port 1116 and the second port 1118. The annular wall 1120 mayinclude tabs 1122 coupled to an upper exterior end of the annular wall1120. The tabs 1122 may have a circumferential length less than acircumference of the annular wall 1120. The cap 1104 may have a shoulder1124 extending between the annular wall 1120 an exterior of the cap1104.

FIG. 29B is a plan view of a dust cap 1106 that may be used with aspecimen container, such as the specimen container assembly 1100. Thedust cap 1106 may be an annular member dimension to fit around theannular wall 1120. The dust cap 1106 may have an annular wall 1130 and adust flange 1128 coupled to the annular wall 1130. The annular wall 1130may have recesses 1126 formed in the inner diameter. The recesses 1126may have a dimension substantially similar to the dimensions of the tabs1122 of the annular wall 1120. The dust cap 1106 may also include atopper 1132 having dimensions configured to fit over the opening openarea of the dust cap 1106 and secure to and cover the first port 1116and the second port 1118.

FIG. 30 is an assembled sectional view of the specimen containerassembly 1100 and the collection fitting 1000 illustrating additionaldetails that may be associated with some embodiments. The specimencontainer 1102 may be threaded into the cap 1104 through the matingthreads 1110 and 1112. The dust cap 1106 may be fitted over the cap 1104so that the dust flange 1128 rests on the shoulder 1124. To accomplishthis the tabs 1122 may be inserted through the recesses 1126 of the dustflange 1128. The dust cap 1106 may then be rotated relative to the cap1104 to secure the dust cap 1106 to the cap 1104.

To assemble the collection fitting 1000, the switch 1004 may be insertedinto the chassis 1002 so that the shoulder 1052 may rest on the shoulder1038. In some embodiments, the cut-out 1046 of the flange 1044 of theswitch 1004 may be aligned with the key 1033 of the chassis 1002. Insome embodiments, if the switch 1004 is disposed in the chassis 1002,the key 1033 may be positioned between the opposing shoulders 1043,1045.

The disc cup 1006 may be inserted into the chassis 1002 after the switch1004 so that the bottom wall 1056 may rest on the switch 1004. In someembodiments, an upper portion of the key 1033 may be inserted into thenotch 1060 of the chassis 1002, preventing rotation of the disc cup 1006relative to the chassis 1002. The protrusions 1058 may be inserted intothe apertures 1034, securing the disc cup 1006 to the chassis 1002. Thecap 1008 may be fitted over the chassis 1002 so that the first passage1022 may rest on the shoulder 1065 of the annular inner wall 1064 of thedisc cup 1006. Similarly, the second passage 1024 may also rest on theshoulder 1065 of the annular inner wall 1064 of the disc cup 1006. Thefirst passage 1022 and the second passage 1024 may seal to the shoulder1065 so that the first passage 1022 and the second passage 1024 may befluidly isolated from the interior of the cap 1008 and portions of thedisc cup 1006 between the tubular wall 1054 and the annular inner wall1064.

The first tube 1010 may be a multi-lumen conduit having a central lumen1009 and one or more peripheral lumens 1011. The first tube 1010 may beinserted into the first passage 1022 so that the first nipple 1018 mayinsert into the central lumen 1009, thereby placing the central lumen1009 of the first tube 1010 into fluid communication with the firstnipple 1018. An end of the first tube 1010 may be in contact with theshoulder 1068, so that an end of the first tube 1010 may be separatedfrom the bottom wall 1056 of the disc cup 1006. Separation of the end ofthe first tube 1010 from the bottom wall 1056 places the peripherallumens 1011 into fluid communication with the sensing bypass 1063between the annular inner wall 1064, the first nipple 1018, and thesecond nipple 1020.

Similarly, the second tube 1012 may be a multi-lumen conduit having acentral lumen 1013 and one or more peripheral lumens 1015. The secondtube 1012 may be inserted into the second passage 1024 so that thesecond nipple 1020 may insert into the central lumen 1013, therebyplacing the central lumen 1013 of the second tube 1012 into fluidcommunication with the second nipple 1020. An end of the second tube1012 may be in contact with the shoulder 1072, so that an end of thesecond tube 1012 may be separated from the bottom wall 1056 of the disccup 1006. Separation of the end of the second tube 1012 from the bottomwall 1056 places the peripheral lumen 1015 into fluid communication withthe sensing bypass 1063 between the annular inner wall 1064, the secondnipple 1020, and the first nipple 1018. Fluid communication between theperipheral lumens 1011 and the peripheral lumens 1015 may occur throughthe sensing bypass 1063.

The specimen container assembly 1100 may be inserted into the chassis1002. A lower end of the cap 1008 may have a detent configured to engagea mating detent on the dust cap 1106, securing the specimen containerassembly 1100 to the collection fitting 1000. As shown, the first port1014 of the switch 1004 may be inserted into the second port 1118 of thecap 1104. Similarly, the second port 1016 of the switch 1004 may beinserted into the first port 1116 of the cap 1104. The insertion maypermit rotation of the specimen container assembly 1100 to cause acorresponding rotation of the switch 1004.

In some embodiments, the switch 1004 may be disposed within the chassis1002 so that the shoulder 1043 of the cut-out 1046 may be in contactwith the key 1033. If the key 1033 is in contact with the shoulder 1043of the cut-out 1046, the switch 1004 may be in a bypass position wherethe bypass passage 1042 may be in fluid communication with the firstnipple 1018 and the second nipple 1020. If the specimen containerassembly 1100 is inserted into the collection fitting 1000 and rotated,for example, with a rotation of about 90 degrees, the specimen containerassembly 1100 may cause the switch 1004 to rotate about 90 degrees. The90 degree rotation may cause the switch 1004 to rotate relative to thechassis 1002 so that the key 1033 may be positioned proximate to oradjacent to the shoulder 1045. If the key 1033 is proximate to theshoulder 1045, the switch 1004 may be in a sampling position as shown inFIG. 30. In the sampling position, the first nipple 1018 may be in fluidcommunication with the first port 1014 and the second nipple 1020 may bein fluid communication with the second port 1016, permitting fluidcommunication through the switch 1004 into the specimen container 1102.In this manner, the collection fitting 1000 and the specimen containerassembly 1100 may permit sampling of fluids while providingreduced-pressure therapy.

In some embodiments, if the specimen container assembly 1100 is coupledto the collection fitting 1000, the tabs 1122 may be inserted into themounting slots 1032. The tabs 1122 may be moved through the axialportion 1035 of the mounting slots 1032 until the tabs 1122 reach theend of the axial portion 1035 of the mounting slots 1032 adjacent to thecircumferential portion 1037. If the specimen container 1102 is rotatedto cause rotation of the switch 1004, the tabs 1122 may movecircumferentially through the circumferential portion 1037 of themounting slots 1032. If the tabs 1122 reach the end of thecircumferential portion 1037 of the mounting slots 1032, the tabs 1122may limit further rotation of the specimen container 1102. In someembodiments, the circumferential portion 1037 of the mounting slots1032, the size of the tabs 1122, the placement of the key 1033, and thelength of the cut-out 1046 may be selected to align the first port 1014with the first nipple 1018 and the second port 1016 with the secondnipple 1020 if the tabs 1122 reach an end of the circumferential portion1037 of the mounting slots 1032. In addition, the tabs 1122 may be fullywithin the circumferential portion 1037 of the mounting slots 1032, andthereby prevented from axial motion relative to the collection fitting1000.

Plunger Switch

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of a collection fitting 1200 that may beused with a reduced-pressure therapy system, such as thereduced-pressure therapy system 100, for example. The collection fitting1200 may be an example embodiment of the collection fitting 106. Thecollection fitting 1200 may include a specimen container 1202, such as avial, or a graduated cylinder, for example. The specimen container 1202may be a tubular member having a closed end 1203 and an open end 1205opposite the closed end. In some embodiments, a portion of a tubularwall 1201 of the specimen container 1202 extending toward the closed end1203 of the specimen container 1202 may have a thread 1207 on an outerdiameter surface of the specimen container 1202. The thread 1207 mayextend a portion of a distance of the tubular wall 1201 between the openend 1205 and the closed end 1203 of the specimen container 1202 from alocation proximate to the open end 1205. In some embodiments, the thread1207 may extend from a location adjacent to the open end 1205.

The collection fitting 1200 may also include a cap 1204. The cap 1204may have a closed end 1211 and an open end 1209. The open end 1209 ofthe cap 1204 may have a tubular wall 1213 having an inner diametersurface. In some embodiments, a diameter of the inner diameter surfacemay be dimensioned to receive the open end 1205 of the specimencontainer 1202. In some embodiments, the open end 1209 of the cap 1204may have a thread 1219 formed on the inner diameter surface of the openend 1209. In some embodiments, the thread 1219 on the inner diametersurface of the cap 1204 may be configured to mate with the thread 1207on the outer diameter surface of the specimen container 1202.

In some embodiments, the closed end 1211 of the cap 1204 may have anannular wall 1221 extending radially inward from an end of the tubularwall 1213 opposite of the open end 1209. The annular wall 1221 mayextend a portion of the distance between the tubular wall 1213 and acenter of the cap 1204.

The cap 1204 may have a boss 1212 coupled to radially interior ends ofthe annular wall 1221 and extending away from the open end 1209 of thecap 1204 parallel to an axis of the cap 1204. The boss 1212 may have alength L between the annular wall 1221 and an end of the boss 1212. Afirst inlet 1206 and a second inlet 1210 may be formed in the boss 1212.Both the first inlet 1206 and the second inlet 1210 may be fluidpassages through the boss 1212 into the open end 1209 of the cap 1204.In some embodiments, both the first inlet 1206 and the second inlet 1210may have openings in a sidewall of the boss 1212. In some embodiments,the openings of the first inlet 1206 and the second inlet 1210 may beopposite one another. In other embodiments, the openings of the firstinlet 1206 and the second inlet 1210 may be adjacent to or proximate toone another. In some embodiments, both the first inlet 1206 and thesecond inlet 1210 may extend horizontally from a side of the boss 1212to an elbow. Both the first inlet 1206 and the second inlet 1210 mayhave openings proximate to the open end 1209 of the cap 1204 that mayface a same direction. In some embodiments, the openings into the openend of the cap 1204 of the first inlet 1206 and the second inlet 1210may be perpendicular to the openings of the first inlet 1206 and thesecond inlet 1210 into the boss 1212.

In some embodiments, the first inlet 1206 may have a baffle 1208. Thebaffle 1208 may be a tubular body depending from the boss 1212 towardthe open end 1209 of the cap 1204. In some embodiments, the baffle 1208may have a length such that an end of the baffle 1208 depends below theopen end 1209 of the cap 1204. In other embodiments, the baffle 1208 maybe a planar wall and may have a length such that an end of the baffle1208 does not depend below the open end 1209 of the cap 1204. In otherembodiments, the baffle 1208 may be positioned between the openings ofthe first inlet 1206 and the second inlet 1210 facing the open end ofthe cap 1204.

The collection fitting 1200 may include a housing 1214. In someembodiments, the housing 1214 may be a tubular body. The housing 1214may have an open end 1223 and a closed end opposite the open end 1223formed by a wall 1215 having peripheral portions coupled to the tubularbody of the housing 1214. The housing 1214 may have a central passage1216 extending from the open end 1223 of the tubular body to the wall1215. In some embodiments, the housing 1214 may have an annular wall1218 depending from the open end 1223 of the housing 1214. The annularwall 1218 may have an inner diameter that is greater than a diameter ofthe central passage 1216 so that a shoulder 1217 is formed between theannular wall 1218 and the central passage 1216. In some embodiments, thediameter of the inner diameter of the annular wall 1218 may besubstantially equal to a diameter of an outer diameter of the open end1209 of the cap 1204.

The housing 1214 may also include a first union 1220 and a second union1222. The first union 1220 and the second union 1222 may extend throughthe tubular body of the housing 1214. In some embodiments, the firstunion 1220 and the second union 1222 may be positioned on an exteriorsurface of the housing 1214 proximate to the open end 1223 of thehousing 1214. In some embodiments, the first union 1220 and the secondunion 1222 may be adjacent to the open end 1223 of the housing 1214. Thefirst union 1220 and the second union 1222 may provide a location forfluid coupling of an external device to the housing 1214. Both the firstunion 1220 and the second union 1222 may include a passage extendinginto the central passage 1216 of the housing 1214. In some embodiments,the first union 1220 and the second union 1222 may be ports.

A plunger 1224 may be disposed in the central passage 1216 of thehousing 1214. The plunger 1224 may be a cylindrical body having adiameter to slidingly engage the central passage 1216. In someembodiments, the plunger 1224 may be configured to fluidly seal to thecentral passage 1216, preventing fluid communication through the centralpassage 1216 across the plunger 1224. In some embodiments, the plunger1224 may have a bypass passage 1226 disposed in the plunger 1224. Thebypass passage 1226 may be an annular recess disposed proximate to acenter of the plunger 1224. The plunger 1224 may fluidly seal to thecentral passage 1216 axially above the bypass passage 1226 and axiallybelow the bypass passage 1226. In other embodiments, the bypass passage1226 may extend through a center of the plunger 1224. The plunger 1224may be configured to move axially through the central passage 1216 sothat the plunger 1224 may variably align the bypass passage 1226 withthe first union 1220 and the second union 1222 in a bypass position asshown in FIG. 31.

A stem 1228 may be coupled to the plunger 1224 and extend axially upwardfrom the plunger 1224 through the central passage 1216. The stem 1228may be a cylindrical body extending from an upper surface of the plunger1224 toward the wall 1215 of the housing 1214. In some embodiments, thestem 1228 may have an end opposite the plunger 1224 disposed in anopening of the wall 1215 so that the stem 1228 may move axially relativeto the wall 1215. A spring 1230 may circumscribe the stem 1228 and havea first end resting on the plunger 1224 and a second end engaged withthe wall 1215 of the housing 1214. The spring 1230 may be configured tobe compressed between the plunger 1224 and the wall 1215, biasing theplunger 1224 to the bypass position.

A first tube 1232 may be fluidly coupled to the first union 1220. Thefirst tube 1232 may have a single lumen configured to be in fluidcommunication with the first union 1220. In other embodiments, the firsttube 1232 may be a multi-lumen conduit having a central lumen and one ormore peripheral lumens. The first tube 1232 may be further coupled to acanister, reduced-pressure source, or other device. A second tube 1234may be fluidly coupled to the second union 1222. The second tube 1234may have a single lumen configured to be in fluid communication with thesecond union 1222. In other embodiments, the second tube 1234 may be amulti-lumen conduit having a central lumen and one or more peripherallumens. The second tube 1234 may be further coupled to a dressing orother device.

FIG. 32A is a sectional view of the collection fitting 1200 illustratingadditional details that may be associated with some embodiments. In someembodiments, the cap 1204 may be secured to the specimen container 1202so that the specimen container 1202 and the cap 1204 may be manipulatedas a single body. The plunger 1224 may be in the bypass position. In thebypass position, the spring 1230 may be in a relaxed position, or aslightly compressed position. The stem 1228 may not substantiallyprotrude beyond the wall 1215 if the plunger 1224 is in the bypassposition. In the bypass position, the bypass passage 1226 may be influid communication with the first union 1220 and the second union 1222.The first tube 1232 may be coupled to the first union 1220 and furthercoupled to a canister or reduced-pressure source. The second tube 1234may be coupled to the second union 1222 and further coupled to adressing, which may be coupled to a tissue site. The first tube 1232 maybe in fluid communication with the first union 1220, and the second tube1234 may be in fluid communication with the second union 1222.

Operation of the reduced-pressure source may cause fluid flow betweenthe dressing and the reduced-pressure source through the collectionfitting 1200. The fluid flow may occur through the first tube 1232, thefirst union 1220, the bypass passage 1226, the second union 1222, andthe second tube 1234. The fluid flow may provide a reduced pressure atthe dressing and may cause fluids, including liquids from the tissuesite, to move from the dressing through the collection fitting 1200 intoa fluid collection apparatus, such as the specimen container 1202fluidly coupled between the collection fitting 1200 and thereduced-pressure source.

If a sample of fluid from the tissue site is desired, the specimencontainer 1202 and the cap 1204 may be brought proximate to the housing1214. In some embodiments, the boss 1212 may be aligned with and placedin contact with the plunger 1224. As shown in FIG. 32A, the boss 1212may be dimensioned to sealing engage the central passage 1216.

FIG. 32B is a sectional view illustrating additional details of the useof the collection fitting 1200. Here, the boss 1212 may be inserted intothe central passage 1216 of the housing 1214. The insertion of the boss1212 into the central passage 1216 may cause the plunger 1224 to moveaxially upward, compressing the spring 1230. Movement of the plunger1224 axially upward may move the bypass passage 1226 out of fluidcommunication with the first union 1220 and the second port 1220.

The boss 1212 may be inserted into the central passage 1216 until theclosed end 1203 of the cap 1204 may contact the shoulder 1217 of thehousing 1214 adjacent to the annular wall 1218. The insertion may placethe cap 1204 within a space bounded by the annular wall 1218. Inaddition, the length L of the boss 1212 may extend into the centralpassage 1216, moving the plunger 1224 a distance substantially equal toL into the central passage 1216. The movement of the plunger 1224 intothe central passage 1216 may also compress the spring 1230 a distancesubstantially equal to L and move an end of the stem 1228 beyond thewall 1215. The positioning of the end of the stem 1228 beyond the wall1215 may indicate that the collection fitting 1200 is in a samplingposition.

If in the sampling position of FIG. 32B, the first inlet 1206 of the cap1204 may be positioned proximate to the first union 1220. In someembodiments, the first inlet 1206 may be in fluid communication with thefirst union 1220. Similarly, the second inlet 1210 may be in fluidcommunication with the second union 1222. In the sampling position,fluid communication may occur between the first tube 1232 and the secondtube 1234 through the first union 1220, the first inlet 1206, thespecimen container 1202, the second inlet 1210, and the second union1222.

Operation of the reduced-pressure source may continue while the boss1212 is inserted into the central passage 1216. If the boss 1212 isinserted into the central passage 1216, the boss 1212 may fluidly sealto the central passage 1216 around the first inlet 1206 and the secondinlet 1210. The reduced-pressure source may supply reduced pressure tothe dressing and the tissue site through the collection fitting 1200 andthe specimen container 1202. As fluids, including liquids from thetissue site, are drawn through the second tube 1234 by the reducedpressure, the fluids may flow into the specimen container 1202 throughthe second inlet 1210. The baffle 1208 may prevent liquids from flowingdirectly between the second inlet 1210 and the first inlet 1206. Thespecimen container 1202 and the cap 1204 may be left in the samplingposition of FIG. 32B until the specimen container 1202 contains adesired amount of fluids from the tissue site.

If the specimen container 1202 is full, or a sufficient sample has beenreceived, the specimen container 1202 may be removed from the housing1214. The compression of the spring 1230 the distance L may cause thespring 1230 to exert a counteracting force that is proportional to thespring force of the spring 1230 and the distance L. The counteractingforce may urge the plunger 1224 to return to the bypass position asshown in some embodiments of FIG. 32A. If the plunger 1224 returns tothe bypass position of FIG. 32A, the bypass passage 1226 may again be influid communication with the first union 1220 and the second union 1222.In this manner, reduced-pressure therapy may be supplied withoutsignificant interruption during the sampling process.

The systems and methods described herein may provide significantadvantages, some of which have already been mentioned. For example, thereduced-pressure therapy system 100 provides a mechanism by which tosample fluid or liquid from a tissue site. The reduced-pressure therapysystem 100 also provides a sampling mechanism to allow for sampling offluids in a discrete time. Further, the reduced-pressure therapy system100 prevents potential contamination of wound fluid withmoisture-reducing substances in a fluid collection apparatus. Inaddition, the reduced-pressure therapy system 100 provides a mechanismto sample fluid while still providing feedback pressure to a therapyunit. Still further, the reduced-pressure therapy system 100 may providea sampling mechanism that allows for fluid sampling without risking aleak or discontinuing reduce pressure therapy.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention havingsignificant advantages has been provided. While shown in only a fewforms, the systems and methods illustrated are susceptible to variouschanges and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

We claim:
 1. A collection fitting for sampling fluid from a tissue site,the collection fitting comprising: a housing having a central passage, afirst union, and a second union, the first union and the second union influid communication with the central passage; a plunger disposed in thehousing and movable between a sampling position and a bypass position,the plunger having a bypass passage comprising an annular recessdisposed around a center of the plunger, the bypass passage configuredto fluidly couple the first union and the second union through thecentral passage in the bypass position; and a cap having a boss and anopen end extending away from the boss, the boss having a first inlet anda second inlet, the first inlet and the second inlet comprising openingsin a sidewall of the boss, and the first inlet including a baffleextending beyond the open end of the cap, the boss configured to beinserted into the central passage and move the plunger, the first inletand the second inlet being configured to fluidly couple the first unionand the second union in the sampling position, and the baffle configuredto prevent a liquid from flowing directly between the first inlet andthe second inlet.
 2. The collection fitting of claim 1, wherein thehousing comprises a tubular member having an open end and a closed end,the first union being disposed on a sidewall of the tubular memberbetween the open end and the closed end, and the second union beingdisposed on an opposite side of the tubular member between the open endand the closed end, each of the first union and the second union havinga passage extending through the tubular member into the central passage.3. The collection fitting of claim 1, further comprising a biasingmember disposed in the housing and configured to bias the plunger to thebypass position.
 4. The collection fitting of claim 3, wherein thebiasing member is a spring.
 5. The collection fitting of claim 1,further comprising: a specimen container having an open end and a closedend; and the cap being coupled to the open end of the specimen containerso that the first inlet and the second inlet are in fluid communicationthrough the specimen container.
 6. The collection fitting of claim 2,wherein the plunger further comprises a stem coupled to the plunger andextending toward the closed end.
 7. The collection fitting of claim 6,wherein an end of the stem protrudes from the closed end in the samplingposition.
 8. The collection fitting of claim 1, wherein the plunger isconfigured to move linearly.
 9. A collection fitting for sampling fluidfrom a tissue site, the collection fitting comprising: a housing havinga central passage, a first union configured to be fluidly coupled to areduced-pressure source, and a second union configured to be fluidlycoupled to the tissue site, the first union and the second union influid communication with the central passage; a plunger disposed in thehousing, the plunger comprising a cylindrical body and having a bypasspassage comprising an annular recess depending into a sidewall of thecylindrical body, the bypass passage configured to fluidly couple thefirst union and the second union through the central passage in a bypassposition; and a cap having a boss and an open end extending away fromthe boss, the boss having a first inlet and a second inlet, the firstinlet and the second inlet comprising openings in a sidewall of theboss, and the first inlet including a baffle extending beyond the openend of the cap, the boss configured to be inserted into the centralpassage and move the plunger within the housing, the first inlet and thesecond inlet being configured to fluidly couple the first union and thesecond union in a sampling position and the baffle configured to preventa liquid from flowing directly between the first inlet and the secondinlet.
 10. A system for sampling fluid from a tissue site, the systemcomprising: a housing having a central passage, a first union, and asecond union, the first union and the second union in fluidcommunication with the central passage; a plunger disposed in thehousing and having a bypass passage comprising an annular recessdisposed around a center of the plunger, the bypass passage configuredto fluidly couple the first union and the second union through thecentral passage in a bypass position; a cap having a boss and an openend extending away from the boss, the boss having a first inlet and asecond inlet, the first inlet and the second inlet comprising openingsin a sidewall of the boss, and the first inlet including a baffleextending beyond the open end of the cap, the boss configured to beinserted into the central passage and move the plunger within thehousing, the first inlet and the second inlet being configured tofluidly couple the first union and the second union in a samplingposition and the baffle configured to prevent a liquid from flowingdirectly between the first inlet and the second inlet; a first tubecoupled to the first union; a second tube coupled to the second union;and a specimen container configured to be coupled to the cap, the firstinlet and the second inlet being in fluid communication through thespecimen container.
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising: areduced-pressure source coupled to the first tube; and a dressingcoupled to the second tube.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein thehousing comprises a tubular member having an open end and a closed end,the first union being disposed on a sidewall of the tubular memberbetween the open end and the closed end, and the second union beingdisposed on an opposite side of the tubular member between the open endand the closed end, each of the first union and the second union havinga passage extending through the tubular member into the central passage.13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a biasing member disposedin the housing and configured to bias the plunger to the bypassposition.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the biasing member is aspring.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the plunger furthercomprises a stem coupled to the plunger and extending toward the closedend.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein an end of the stem protrudesfrom the closed end in the sampling position.
 17. The system of claim10, wherein the plunger is configured to move linearly.
 18. A method forsampling fluid from a tissue site, the method comprising: providing acollection fitting comprising: a housing having a central passage, afirst union, and a second union, the first union and the second union influid communication with the central passage; and a plunger disposed inthe housing and movable between a sampling position and a bypassposition, the plunger having a bypass passage comprising an annularrecess disposed around a center of the plunger, the bypass passageconfigured to fluidly couple the first union and the second unionthrough the central passage in the bypass position; fluidly coupling thecollection fitting between a reduced-pressure source and the tissue sitethrough the plunger of the collection fitting; coupling a cap of aspecimen container to the collection fitting proximate to the plunger ofthe collection fitting, the cap having a boss and an open end extendingaway from the boss, the boss having a first inlet and a second inlet,the first inlet and the second inlet comprising openings in a sidewallof the boss, and the first inlet including a baffle extending beyond theopen end of the cap, the boss configured to be inserted into the centralpassage and move the plunger, the first inlet and the second inlet beingconfigured to fluidly couple the first union and the second union in thesampling position, and the baffle configured to prevent a liquid fromflowing directly between the first inlet and the second inlet; movingthe plunger out of fluid communication with the reduced-pressure sourceand the tissue site; and moving the cap into fluid communication withthe reduced-pressure source and the tissue site, bypassing the plunger.19. The method of claim 18, wherein fluidly coupling the collectionfitting comprises: coupling an end of a first tube having at least onelumen to the first union of the collection fitting and an opposite endof the first tube to the reduced-pressure source; coupling a dressing tothe tissue site; and coupling an end of a second tube having at leastone lumen to the second union of the collection fitting and an oppositeend of the second tube to the dressing.
 20. The method of claim 18,wherein moving the cap into fluid communication with thereduced-pressure source and the tissue site comprises: moving the firstinlet of the cap into fluid communication with the reduced-pressuresource and the specimen container; and moving the second inlet of thecap into fluid communication with the tissue site and the specimencontainer.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising providingreduced pressure through the collection fitting and the specimencontainer.
 22. The method of claim 18, further comprising providingreduced pressure through the collection fitting and the plunger of thecollection fitting.